EXHIBIT 12
UNITED RENTALS, INC.
STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
PERIOD FROM AUGUST 14,
1997 (INCEPTION) THROUGH SIX MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997 JUNE 30, 1998
------------------------ ------------------
Earnings:
Income before
provision for income
taxes................ $ 54,138 $13,913,219
Interest expense...... 454,072 4,936,708
Amortization of debt
issuance cost........ 38,332 261,919
Interest portion of
rent expense(1)...... 174,917 1,781,833
-------- ----------
Earnings as $721,459 $20,893,679
adjusted........... ======== ==========
Fixed charges:
Interest expense...... $454,072 $4,936,708
Amortization of debt
issuance cost........ 38,332 261,919
Interest portion of
rent expense(1)...... 174,917 1,781,833
-------- ----------
Fixed charges....... $667,321 $6,980,460
======== ==========
Ratio of earnings to
fixed charges.......... 1.1x 3.0x
- --------
(1) The interest portion of rent expense is estimated to be one-third of rent
expense.