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EXHIBIT 12(b)
DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
(Dollars in thousands)
FISCAL YEARS ENDING MAY
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2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
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Income (loss) from continuing operations
before taxes $120,903 $173,274 $115,297 $143,730 $124,529
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Fixed charges:
Interest expense 74,053 50,148 39,098 21,101 15,071
Portion of rentals (33%) 18,414 16,797 13,916 10,758 8,417
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Total fixed charges 92,467 66,945 53,014 31,859 23,488
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Earnings from continuing operations before
taxes and fixed charges $213,370 $240,219 $168,311 $175,589 $148,017
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and
preferred stock dividends 2.3 3.6 3.2 5.5 6.3
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