JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC. RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Six months ended Year Ended December 31, -------- --------------------------------------------------- 7/4/1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 Income before income taxes . $ 86,285 $251,811 $194,609 $127,763 $ 99,668 $ 87,345 Fixed charges Interest expense and .... 18,569 11,845 3,584 3,040 1,908 1,212 amortization of financing costs Portion of rent expense . 6,161 9,116 7,379 6,290 5,115 3,715 representing interest -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total fixed charges excluding capitalized interest ................ 24,730 20,961 10,963 9,330 7,023 4,927 Capitalized interest ....... -- 671 370 181 181 20 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total fixed charges ........ 24,730 21,632 11,333 9,511 7,204 4,947 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Income before income taxes and fixed charges .......... $111,015 $272,772 $205,572 $137,093 $106,691 $ 92,272 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed . 4.5 12.6 18.1 14.4 14.8 18.7 charges ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========