EXHIBIT 12


                              ABBOTT LABORATORIES

               CALCULATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

                                  (Unaudited)

                             (Millions of Dollars)


                                                            NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                           SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                           ------------------
                                                      
Net Earnings                                                     $  1,371
                                                      
Add:                                                  
   Income taxes                                                       574
   Minority interest                                                   13
                                                                 --------
                                                      
   Net earnings as adjusted                                         1,958
                                                                 --------
                                                      
                                                      
Fixed Charges:                                        
   Interest on long-term and                          
      short-term debt                                                  68
   Capitalized interest cost                                            9
   Rental expense representative                      
      of an interest factor                                            20
                                                                 --------
                                                      
Total Fixed Charges                                                    97
                                                                 --------
                                                      
Total adjusted earnings available for                 
   payment of fixed charges                                      $  2,055
                                                                 --------
                                                                 --------
                                                      
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges                                   21.2
                                                                 --------
                                                                 --------


NOTE:  For the purpose of calculating this ratio, (i) earnings have been
       calculated by adjusting net earnings for taxes on earnings;
       interest expense; capitalized interest cost, net of amortization;
       minority interest; and the portion of rentals representative of
       the interest factor, (ii) the Company considers one-third of
       rental expense to be the amount representing return on capital,
       and (iii) fixed charges comprise total interest expense,
       including capitalized interest and such portion of rentals.