EXHIBIT 12
CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The table sets forth the Company's consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the years as shown.
	2002			2001			2000			1999			1998
Net earnings	$	48,058,349		$	28,963,548		$	38,250,664		$	35,311,517		$	32,441,198
Fixed charges:
Interest on indebtedness		27,147,412			25,360,505			26,913,436			22,109,567			13,444,646
Amortization of discount relating          to indebtedness		127,375			107,200			93,600			55,758			15,244
Amortization of treasury lock gain		(554,527	)		(515,299	)		(478,846	)		(245,388	)		-
Amortization of deferred charges		960,447			805,707			804,388			723,310			710,491
		27,680,707			25,758,113			27,332,578			22,643,247			14,170,381
Net earnings before fixed charges	$	75,739,056		$	54,721,661		$	65,583,242		$	57,954,764		$	46,611,579
Divided by fixed charges:
Fixed charges	$	27,680,707		$	25,758,113		$	27,332,578		$	22,643,247		$	14,170,381
Capitalized and deferred interest		(599,902	)		451,624			646,897			1,111,165			1,111,615
	$	27,080,805		$	26,209,737		$	27,979,475		$	23,754,412		$	15,281,996
Ratio of net earnings to fixed charges		2.80			2.09			2.34			2.44			3.05
Preferred stock dividends	$	4,009,554		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-
Combined fixed charges and preferred      stock dividends	$	31,090,359		$	26,209,737		$	27,979,475		$	23,754,412		$	15,281,996
Ratio of net earnings to combined      fixed charges and preferred stock      dividends		2.44			2.09			2.34			2.44			3.05
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)	$	75,739,056		$	67,303,430		$	67,104,305		$	67,778,936		$	52,112,922
Ratio of net earnings after advisor      acquisition costs to fixed charges(1)		2.80			2.57			2.40			2.85			3.41
(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.