EXHIBIT 12 MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CALCULATION OF THE RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Dollars in millions) (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, Year Year Year Year Year 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- EARNINGS Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest* $ 657 $3,440 $2,479 $2,168 $2,011 $1,851 Add: Interest on debt 34 94 79 102 70 39 Interest component of the ESOP benefit expense 7 32 34 37 39 41 Portion of rent under operating leases representative of the interest component 11 41 46 51 46 44 Less: Equity in undistributed income of 20-50% owned companies 1 3 -- 1 2 -- ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- TOTAL EARNINGS AVAILABLE FOR FIXED CHARGES $ 708 $3,604 $2,638 $2,357 $2,164 $1,975 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== FIXED CHARGES Interest on debt 34 94 79 102 70 39 Interest component of the ESOP benefit expense 7 32 34 37 39 41 Portion of rent under operating leases representative of the interest component 11 41 46 51 46 44 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ TOTAL FIXED CHARGES $ 52 $ 167 $ 159 $ 190 $ 155 $ 124 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 13.62 21.58 16.59 12.41 13.96 15.93 *1997 includes a pre-tax gain on the sale of National Advertising Company of $803 million; 1995 includes a pre-tax restructuring charge of $79 million.