EXHIBIT 12.1

                          COMMUNITY DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

                    COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                                   (UNAUDITED)




                                          FISCAL YEAR         FISCAL YEAR        FISCAL YEAR
                                             ENDED               ENDED              ENDED
EARNINGS AVAILABLE FOR FIXED CHARGES     JULY 25, 1998       JULY 31, 1999      JULY 29, 2000
- ------------------------------------
                                                                       
Income before income taxes                      $6,715              $1,753             $1,558

ADD
Interest expense                                 6,748               8,033             $8,142
Interest component of rent expense               3,057               3,477             $3,741

Income as adjusted                             $16,520             $13,263            $13,441

Fixed charges
Interest expense                                $6,748              $8,033             $8,142
Interest component of rent expense               3,057               3,477              3,741

Total fixed charges                             $9,805             $11,510             11,883

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges                1.68                1.15               1.13