EXHIBIT (12)



                         ROHM AND HAAS COMPANY
                           AND SUBSIDIARIES


           COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES


                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                         1997   1996   1995   1994   1993
                                         --------------------------------
                                               (millions of dollars)
Earnings before income taxes ..........  $611   $530   $441   $407   $194
Fixed charges .........................    71     75     84     82     79
Capitalized interest adjustment .......     3     (1)    (5)    (2)    (7)
Undistributed earnings adjustment .....   (11)    12     (3)    (2)     6
                                         ----   ----   ----   ----   ----
  Earnings ............................  $674   $616   $517   $485   $272
                                         ====   ====   ====   ====   ====
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges ....   9.5    8.2    6.2    5.9    3.4
                                         ====   ====   ====   ====   ====


Note: Earnings consist of earnings before income taxes and fixed
      charges after eliminating undistributed earnings of affiliates and
      capitalized interest net of amortization of previously capitalized
      interest.  Fixed charges consist of interest expense, including
      capitalized interest, and amortization of debt discount and expense on
      all indebtedness, plus one-third of rent expense deemed to represent an
      interest factor.