EXHIBIT 12.01

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION
COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(Thousands of dollars)

			For the Year Ended December 31,
Continuing Operations			2000		1999		1998		1997		1996
1. Fixed charges:
	A) Interest expense		$	70,659	$	63,110	$	63,416	$	63,247	$	54,674
	B) Amortization			1,564		1,366		1,243		1,164		1,494
	C) Interest portion of rentals			8,572		8,217		7,531		6,973		6,629
	D) Preferred securities distributions			5,475		5,475		5,475		5,475		5,475
		Total fixed charges	$	86,270	$	78,168	$	77,665	$	76,859	$	68,272
2. Earnings (as defined):
	E) Pretax income from continuing operations		$	51,939	$	60,955	$	83,951	$	21,328	$	10,448
	Fixed Charges (1. above)			86,270		78,168		77,665		76,859		68,272
		Total earnings as defined	$	138,209	$	139,123	$	161,616	$	98,187	$	78,720
3. Ratio of earnings to fixed charges				1.60		1.78		2.08		1.28		1.15