EXHIBIT 12.1 VIALOG CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS) Unaudited Proforma Combined - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Year Ended Nine Months Ended December 31, 1996 September 30, 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIXED CHARGES AS DEFINED: (1) Interest on long-term debt $12,637 $9,596 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Total Fixed Charges $12,637 $9,596 ================================================================================ EARNINGS AS DEFINED: (3) Loss from continuing operations ($10,844) ($9,683) (4) Income taxes for continuing operations (540) -- (5) Total Fixed Charges 12,637 9,596 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (6) Income From Continuing Operations Before Income $1,253 (87) Taxes and Fixed Charges ================================================================================ RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (line 6 divided by line 2) (a) 0.10 N/A ================================================================================ COVERAGE DEFICIENCY: ($11,384) ($9,683) ================================================================================ (a) Earnings are inadequate to cover fixed charges