1 EXHIBIT 12.1 COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (IN MILLIONS) FIVE MONTHS FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations $ (0.6) $ 1.9 $ 1.8 $ (1.6) $ (3.0) $ (29.3) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Fixed charges: Interest expense and amortization of debt 0.3 0.4 1.2 0.5 2.3 11.0 issuance costs Interest factor on rental expense 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.0 --- --- --- --- --- --- Total fixed charges 0.3 0.4 1.2 0.5 2.6 12.0 --- --- --- --- --- ---- Pre-tax income (loss) before fixed charges $ (0.3) $ 2.3 $ 3.0 $ (1.1) $ (0.4) $ (17.3) ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges - 5.4 2.5 - - - Deficiency of earnings to covered fixed charges $ (0.6) $ - $ - $ (1.6) $ (3.0) $ (29.3) PROFORMA -------------------------- QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, MARCH 31, JUNE 30, ----------------- 1997 1998 1998 1998 ---- ---- ---- ---- Pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations $ 0.6 $ (1.6) $ (33.4) $ (5.8) ---------- ---------- ----------- --------- Fixed charges: Interest expense and amortization of debt 1.5 4.9 27.9 6.8 issuance costs Interest factor on rental expense 0.1 0.2 1.5 0.3 --- --- --- --- Total fixed charges 1.6 5.1 29.4 7.1 --- --- ---- --- Pre-tax income (loss) before fixed charges $ 2.2 $ 3.5 $ (4.0) $ 1.3 ---------- ---------- ----------- --------- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.3 - - - Deficiency of earnings to covered fixed charges $ - $ (1.6) $ (33.4) $ (5.8)