1 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES EXHIBIT 12.1 (UNAUDITED) (In thousands) Year Ended December 31, ------------------------------------------------------------- 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 ------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed charges: Interest expense $ 67,573 $ 14,285 $ 11,518 $ 9,591 $ 8,378 Capitalized interest 4,460 4,976 Debt issuance costs 1,675 65 501 Interest portion of rental expense 16,361 14,354 8,534 5,802 5,370 ------------------------------------------------------------- Total fixed charges $ 90,069 $ 33,680 $ 20,553 $15,393 $ 13,748 ============================================================= Earnings: Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting $(275,314) $215,131 $303,330 $62,678 $219,703 Fixed charges per above 90,069 33,680 20,553 15,393 13,748 LESS: capitalized interest 4,460 4,976 ------------------------------------------------------------- Total earnings, as adjusted $(189,705) $243,835 $323,883 $78,071 $233,451 ============================================================= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 7.24 15.76 5.07 16.98 ============================================================= Coverage deficiency(1) $(279,774) ========= Supplemental pro forma coverage deficiency(2) $(345,507) ========= (1) Includes noncash special charges of $646 million recorded in connection with the acquisition of Schneider Worldwide and other merger-related initiatives. (2) Reflects the coverage deficiency as if the acquisition of Schneider Worldwide occurred at the beginning of 1998, with pro forma adjustments to give effect to amortization of intangibles, an increase in interest expense on acquisition financing and certain other adjustments.