EXHIBIT 12.1
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
<Table>
<Caption>
NINE MONTHS THREE MONTHS YEAR
YEARS ENDED NOVEMBER 30 ENDED ENDED ENDED
--------------------------- NOVEMBER 30 FEBRUARY 28, NOVEMBER 30
2001 2000 1999 1998 1998 1997
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) ------- ------- ------- ----------- ------------ -----------
Income (Loss) from
continuing operations
before taxes.............. (31,914) 18,395 (14,000) (24,551) 3,807 8,877
======= ======= ======= ======= ===== ======
Fixed Charges:
Interest.................. 40,105 43,989 45,475 33,477 4,104 26,722
Interest factor portion of
rentals................ 1,710 1,440 1,560 1,110 360 1,740
------- ------- ------- ------- ----- ------
Total fixed
charges........... 41,815 45,429 47,035 34,587 4,464 28,462
------- ------- ------- ------- ----- ------
Earnings before income taxes
and fixed charges......... 81,920 89,418 92,510 68,064 8,568 (1,740)
======= ======= ======= ======= ===== ======
Preferred stock dividends... 13,282 11,848 10,569 7,382 -- --
======= ======= ======= ======= ===== ======
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges and preferred
stock dividends........... 0.44 0.78 0.95 0.24 1.85 1.31
======= ======= ======= ======= ===== ======
Earnings inadequate to cover
fixed charges and
preferred stock
dividends................. (31,033) (12,602) (3,612) (31,933)
======= ======= ======= ======= ===== ======
</Table>