1 EXHIBIT 12.01 EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS) FIRST QUARTER 1997 1996 Earnings before provision for income taxes $ 114 $ 178 Add: Interest expense, net 19 15 Rental expense (1) 5 5 Amortization of capitalized interest 3 4 -------- --------- Earnings as adjusted $ 141 $ 202 ======== ========= Fixed charges: Interest expense, net $ 19 $ 15 Rental expense (1) 5 5 Capitalized interest 10 6 -------- --------- Total fixed charges $ 34 $ 26 ======== ========= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 4.1x 7.8x ======== ========= - ---------------------- (1) For all periods presented, interest component of rental expense is estimated to equal one-third of such expense. 18