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Exhibit 12

Abbott Laboratories

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(Unaudited)
(dollars in millions except ratios)

		Three Months Ended March 31, 2001
Net Loss		$	(224	)
Add (deduct):
	Taxes on earnings		(165	)
	Minority interest		2
Net Loss as adjusted		$	(387	)
Fixed Charges:
	Interest on long-term and short-term debt		51
	Capitalized interest cost		4
	Rental expense representative of an interest factor		12
Total Fixed Charges			67
Total adjusted earnings available for payment of fixed charges		$	(320	)
Deficiency in earnings to cover fixed charges		$	(387	)

NOTE: For the purpose of calculating this ratio, (i) earnings have been calculated by adjusting net earnings for taxes on earnings; interest expense; capitalized interest cost, net of amortization; minority interest; and the portion of rentals representative of the interest factor, (ii) Abbott considers one-third of rental expense to be the amount representing return on capital, and (iii) fixed charges comprise total interest expense, including capitalized interest and such portion of rentals.

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Abbott Laboratories Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (Unaudited) (dollars in millions except ratios)