EXHIBIT 12.1
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<CAPTION>
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(in thousands, except ratio amounts)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, For the Year Ended December 31,
-------------------------- --------------------------------------
2000 1999 1999 1998 1997
---------- --------- --------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Income Before
Extraordinary Item $ 29,534 $ 22,896 $111,929 $ 87,982 $ 59,153
Fixed Charges 8,828 9,935 37,352 21,751 15,534
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Adjusted Earnings $ 38,362 $ 32,831 $149,281 $109,733 $ 74,687
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Fixed Charges:
Interest on indebtedness and
amortization of deferred
finance costs $ 8,828 $ 9,935 $ 37,352 $ 21,751 $ 15,534
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total Fixed Charges $ 8,828 $ 9,935 $ 37,352 $ 21,751 $ 15,534
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges 4.35x 3.30x 4.00x 5.04x 4.81x
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
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