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EXHIBIT 12.1

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

                             YEARS ENDED NOVEMBER 30



                                                                                                   NINE MONTHS    THREE MONTHS
                                                                                                      ENDED          ENDED
                                                                                                   NOVEMBER 30    FEBRUARY 29,
                                          2002           2001           2000          1999            1998            1998
                                          ----           ----           ----          ----         -----------        ----

                                                                      (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                      ----------------------

                                                                                                
Income (Loss) from continuing
  operations before taxes ........      $(34,231)      $(31,914)      $ 18,395      $(14,000)      $(24,551)      $  3,807
                                        --------       --------       --------      --------       --------       --------
Fixed Charges:
  Interest .......................        41,142         40,105         43,989        45,475         33,477          4,104
  Interest factor portion of
    rentals ......................         1,920          1,710          1,440         1,560          1,110            360
                                        --------       --------       --------      --------       --------       --------
                                          43,062         41,815         45,429        47,035         34,587          4,464
                                        --------       --------       --------      --------       --------       --------
Earnings before income taxes and
  fixed charges ..................      $  8,831       $  9,901       $ 63,824      $ 33,035       $ 10,036       $  8,271
Preferred stock dividends ........      $ 14,887       $ 13,282       $ 11,848      $ 10,569       $  7,382       $   --
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
  and preferred stock dividends ..           N/A            N/A          1.11x           N/A            N/A          1.85x
Earnings inadequate to cover fixed
  charges and preferred stock
  dividends ......................      $ 49,118       $ 45,196            N/A      $ 24,569       $ 31,933            N/A