1 EXHIBIT 12.1 FIRST INDUSTRIAL, L.P. COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED UNIT DISTRIBUTIONS (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- Income from Operations Before Disposition of Interest Rate Protection Agreements and Restructuring Charge................... $ 98,400 $ 53,519 $ 32,577 $ 12,123 $ 8,823 Plus: Interest Expense and Amortization of Interest Rate Protection Agreements and Deferred Financing Costs........................ 69,713 25,468 4,881 6,803 13,625 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Earnings Before Disposition of Interest Rate Protection Agreements, Restructuring Charge and Fixed Charges...................... $ 168,113 $ 78,987 $ 37,458 $ 18,926 $ 22,448 ============ ============ ============ ============ ============ Fixed Charges and Preferred Unit Distributions (a)...................... $ 100,047 $ 34,555 $ 5,382 $ 7,069 $ 13,645 ============ ============ ============ ============ ============ Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Unit Distributions(b).... 1.68x 2.29x 6.96x 2.68x 1.65x ============ ============ ============ ============ ============ (a) There were no preferred limited partnership distributions in respect of any period prior to the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1997 (b) For purposes of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred unit distributions, earnings have been calculated by adding fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) to income from operations before disposition of interest rate protection agreements and restructuring charge. Fixed charges consist of interest costs, whether expensed or capitalized and amortization of interest rate protection agreements and deferred financing charges.