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EXHIBIT 12
ROCK-TENN COMPANY
STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS
TO FIXED CHARGES
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
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1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
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Fixed Charges:
Interest expenses............................ $ 8,122 $10,772 $26,466 $ 34,664 $ 30,813
Amortization of debt issuance costs.......... 265 206 320 360 365
Interest capitalized during period........... -- -- 1,214 888 931
Portion of rent expenses representative of
interest.................................. 1,443 2,316 2,584 3,034 3,169
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Fixed charges................................ $ 9,830 $13,294 $30,584 $ 38,946 $ 35,278
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Earnings:
Pretax income from continuing operations..... $67,922 $82,469 $37,756 $ 74,613 $ 70,253
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Fixed charges................................ 9,830 13,294 30,584 38,946 $ 35,278
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Earnings..................................... $77,752 $95,763 $68,340 $113,560 $105,531
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges............. 7.91 7.20 2.23 2.92 2.99
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