EXHIBIT 12

CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth the Company's consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the years as shown.

	2001			2000			1999			1998		1997
Net earnings	$	28,963,548		$	38,250,664		$	35,311,517		$	32,441,198	$	30,384,643
Fixed charges:
Interest on indebtedness		25,360,505			26,913,436			22,109,567			13,444,646		11,477,929
Amortization of discount relating          to indebtedness		107,200			93,600			55,758			15,244		-
Amortization of treasury lock gain		(515,299	)		(478,846	)		(245,388	)		-		-
Amortization of deferred charges		805,707			804,388			723,310			710,491		825,014
		25,758,113			27,332,578			22,643,247			14,170,381		12,302,943
Net earnings before fixed charges	$	54,721,661		$	65,583,242		$	57,954,764		$	46,611,579	$	42,687,586
Divided by fixed charges:
Fixed charges	$	25,758,113		$	27,332,578		$	22,643,247		$	14,170,381	$	12,302,943
Capitalized and deferred interest		451,624			646,897			1,111,165			1,111,615		133,202
	$	26,209,737		$	27,979,475		$	23,754,412		$	15,281,996	$	12,436,145
Ratio of net earnings to fixed charges		2.09			2.34			2.44			3.05		3.43
Advisor acquisition costs	$	12,581,769		$	1,521,063		$	9,824,172		$	5,501,343	$	-
Net earnings after advisor acquisition     costs and fixed charges (1)	$	67,303,430		$	67,104,305		$	67,778,936		$	52,112,922	$	42,687,586
Ratio of net earnings after advisor     acquisition costs to fixed     charges(1)		2.57			2.40			2.85			3.41		3.43
(1) The Company's revolving line of credit and notes payable convenants provide for fixed charge coverage ratios to be calculated before Advisor Acquisition Costs.