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Exhibit 12.1
DEAN FOODS COMPANY
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
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Fiscal Year Ended May,
39 Weeks Ended ---------------------------------------------
February 27, 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996(a) 1995
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Income from Continuing Operations
before Taxes 131,184 115,297 143,730 124,529 (15,586) 100,582
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Interest Expense 37,134 39,098 21,101 15,071 16,316 13,298
Portion of Rentals (33%) 10,437 13,916 10,758 8,417 8,735 6,704
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Total Fixed Charges 47,571 53,014 31,859 23,488 25,051 20,002
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Income from Continuing Operations
before Fixed Charges 178,755 168,311 175,589 148,017 9,465 120,584
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 3.8x 3.2x 5.5x 6.3x 0.4x 6.0x
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(a) Fiscal 1996 ratio of earnings to fixed charges includes a $102.4 million
special charge ($64.9 million after-taxes), resulting in a fixed charge
coverage deficiency of $15.6 million.
