<Page> EXHIBIT 12.1 EBITDA/INTEREST EXPENSE <Table> <Caption> For the 12-months ended December 31, ------------------------------ 2001 2000 1999 ---- ---- ---- EBITDA: Total Earnings $230,887 $215,538 $ 38,927 Plus: Interest expense 170,121 173,891 91,184 Depreciation and amortization 35,642 34,514 10,340 -------- -------- -------- Total EBITDA: $436,650 $423,943 $140,451 INTEREST EXPENSE: $170,121 $173,891 $ 91,184 EBITDA/INTEREST EXPENSE 2.57x 2.44x 1.54x </Table>