EXHIBIT 12 AMERITRUCK DISTRIBUTION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (In thousands, except ratio amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, ------------------ -------------------- 1998* 1997* 1998* 1997* ----- ----- ----- ----- Earnings: Income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary item $ 9,456 $ (9,374) $ 2,813 $(12,294) -------- -------- -------- -------- Fixed charges: Interest expense and amortization of debt discount and premium on all indebtedness 5,721 4,778 11,755 9,272 Portion of rent under long-term operating leases representative of an interest factor 1,451 718 2,880 1,401 Redeemable preferred stock dividend requirements 25 23 80 23 -------- -------- -------- -------- Total fixed charges 7,197 5,519 14,715 10,696 -------- -------- -------- -------- Earnings (loss) before income taxes, extraordinary item and fixed charges $ 16,653 $ (3,855) $ 17,528 $ (1,598) ======== ======== ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges /(1)/ 2.31 - 1.19 - ======== ======== ======== ======== /(1)/ The Company's earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $9,374 for the three month period ended June 30, 1997 and by $12,294 for the six month period ended June 30, 1997. * Comparisons between periods are affected by acquisitions see Note 2 contained in the unaudited Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.