EXHIBIT 12 ABBOTT LABORATORIES CALCULATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Unaudited) (Millions of Dollars) SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 ----------------- Net Earnings $ 1,056 Add (deduct): Income taxes 442 Minority interest 6 --------- Net earnings as adjusted $ 1,504 --------- Fixed Charges: Interest on long-term and short-term debt 64 Capitalized interest cost 6 Rental expense representative of an interest factor 14 --------- Total Fixed Charges 84 --------- Total adjusted earnings available for payment of fixed charges $ 1,588 --------- --------- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 18.9 --------- --------- 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.