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EXHIBIT 12
WILLIAMS COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
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<S> <C> <C> <C>
Earnings:
Loss before income taxes................................. $(367,472) $(190,826) $(28,005)
Add:
Interest expense -- net............................... 97,212 7,468 933
Rental expense representative of interest factor...... 96,786 44,590 28,120
Minority interest income (loss) of consolidated
subsidiaries........................................ (31,503) (15,645) 13,506
Equity losses......................................... 36,440 7,908 2,383
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Total earnings (loss) as adjusted plus fixed
charges........................................ $(168,537) $(146,505) $ 16,937
========= ========= ========
Combined fixed charges:
Interest expense -- net.................................. $ 97,212 $ 7,468 $ 933
Capitalized interest..................................... 39,518 11,182 7,781
Rental expense representative of interest factor......... 96,786 44,590 28,120
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Total fixed charges.............................. $ 233,516 $ 63,240 $ 36,834
========= ========= ========
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges......................... (a) (a) (a)
========= ========= ========
</TABLE>
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(a) Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $402,053,000,
$209,745,000 and $19,897,000 for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
