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.