EXHIBIT 12.1

                     Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                                             (in thousands)   
 
 
                                                                             
                                       Years ended December 31,              Pro Forma  
                          ----------------------------------------------    -----------
                               1994      1995    1996      1997     1998       1998    
                               ----      ----    ----      ----     ----       ---- 
                                                                            (unaudited) 
                                                             
Earnings:                                                              
Income before taxes         $ 29,432  $ 30,101 $ 34,763 $ 42,707   $7,726     $  (4,600)
                                                                                     
Fixed Charges:                                                                       
Interest expense                   -         -        -        -   21,426        32,618
Rentals                          198       198      363      396      508           508
                              ------    ------   ------   ------   ------        ------
                                 198       198      363      396   21,934        33,126
                                                                                     
Income before taxes and                                                              
fixed charges               $ 29,630  $ 30,299 $ 35,126 $ 43,103  $29,660     $  28,526
                                                                                     
Ratio of earnings to                                                                 
fixed charges                 149.65    153.03    96.77   108.85     1.35          0.86