EXHIBIT 12.1

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(unaudited)

	Year Ended October 31,													Quarter Ended April 30, 2005		Six Months Ended April 30, 2005
(amounts in thousands, except ratios)	2000		2001			2002			2003			2004
Consolidated pretax earnings from continuing operations	$	70,672	$	(276,766	)	$	(92,225	)	$	(55,010	)	$	74,974	$	1,053	$	455,653
Interest expense		—		—			—			—			992		750		1,500
Amortization of debt issuance costs		—		—			—			—			982		743		1,486
Interest portion of rental expense		10,200		10,500			8,700			7,200			6,440		1,721		3,486
Earnings	$	80,872	$	(266,266	)	$	(83,525	)	$	(47,810	)	$	83,388	$	4,267	$	462,125
Interest expense	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	992	$	750	$	1,500
Amortization of debt issuance costs		—		—			—			—			982		743		1,486
Interest portion of rental expense		10,200		10,500			8,700			7,200			6,440		1,721		3,486
Fixed charges	$	10,200	$	10,500		$	8,700		$	7,200		$	8,414	$	3,214	$	6,472
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		7.9		(25.4	)		(9.6	)		(6.6	)		9.9		1.3		71.4