EXHIBIT 12


                     BELL ATLANTIC--WASHINGTON, D.C., INC.
               Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                            (Dollars in Thousands)







                                                         Six Months                     Years Ended December 31,                    
                                                            Ended     --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        June 30, 1998   1997          1996         1995         1994         1993   
                                                       -------------- ---------- ------------- ------------ ------------ -----------
                                                                                                               
Income before provision for income taxes,                                                                                           
 extraordinary items, and cumulative effect of                                                                                      
 changes in accounting principles ....................   $  94,193    $ 75,577     $  80,990     $ 53,684     $ 66,014     $ 52,276 
Interest expense, including interest on capital lease                                                                               
 obligations .........................................       8,845      18,932        18,825       18,881       17,763       19,391 
Portion of rent expense representative of the interest                                                                              
 factor ..............................................       1,463       3,247         3,085        3,595        3,085        3,687 
                                                         ---------    --------     ---------     --------     --------     -------- 
Income, as adjusted ..................................   $ 104,501    $ 97,756     $ 102,900     $ 76,160     $ 86,862     $ 75,354 
                                                         =========    ========     =========     ========     ========     ======== 
Fixed charges:                                                                                                                      
Interest expense, including interest on capital lease                                                                               
 obligations .........................................   $   8,845    $ 18,932     $  18,825     $ 18,881     $ 17,763     $ 19,391 
Portion of rent expense representative of the interest                                                                              
 factor ..............................................       1,463       3,247         3,085        3,595        3,085        3,687 
Interest capitalized on construction .................         489         909         1,318        2,954        1,051           -- 
                                                         ---------    --------     ---------     --------     --------     -------- 
Fixed charges ........................................   $  10,797    $ 23,088     $  23,228     $ 25,430     $ 21,899     $ 23,078 
                                                         =========    ========     =========     ========     ========     ======== 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges ...................        9.68        4.23          4.43         2.99         3.97         3.27 
                                                         ==========   =========    ==========    =========    =========    =========