. . . EXHIBIT 12.1 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Unaudited) (in millions) Year Ended December 31, ---------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 ---------------------------------------------------- Fixed charges: Interest expense and debt issuance costs $ 46 $ 43 $ 59 $ 70 $ 122 Interest portion of rental expense 10 11 12 15 15 ---------------------------------------------------- Total fixed charges $ 56 $ 54 $ 71 $ 85 $ 137 ==================================================== Earnings: Income before income taxes $ 643 $ 549 $ 44 $ 527 $ 562 Fixed charges per above 56 54 71 85 137 Net distributed/(undistributed) equity in earnings of equity investees (13) 13 (1) Less: capitalized interest 1 ---------------------------------------------------- Total earnings, as adjusted $ 699 $ 603 $ 102 $ 625 $ 697 ==================================================== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 12.48 11.17 1.44 7.35 5.09 ==================================================== The calculation above relates to the $500 million of registered debt securities that the Company issued in March 1998. See Note G of the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the debt securities.