EXHIBIT 12.1 LIFEPOINT HOSPITALS, INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (UNAUDITED) (Dollars in millions) Historical ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Six Months ended Years Ended December 31, June 30, ------------------------------------------------ ------------------- 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1998 1999 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Earnings Income from continuing operations before minority interests and income taxes $ 24.0 $ 42.7 $ 66.8 $ 31.0 $ (25.6) $ 10.0 $ 9.7 Fixed charges 15.0 13.1 16.2 17.5 21.5 10.7 11.9 ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- $ 39.0 $ 55.8 $ 83.0 $ 48.5 $ (4.1) $ 20.7 $ 21.6 ====== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Fixed charges Interest charged to expense $ 13.5 $ 11.3 $ 14.1 $ 15.4 $ 19.1 $ 9.4 $ 10.7 Interest portion of rental expense 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.1 2.4 1.3 1.2 ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Fixed charges $ 15.0 $ 13.1 $ 16.2 $ 17.5 $ 21.5 $ 10.7 $ 11.9 ====== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.6 4.3 5.1 2.8 -- 1.9 1.8 ====== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======