EXHIBIT 12

COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Dollars in Millions (Unaudited)

		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002
Income before income taxes	$	1,381.9
Add:
Interest on indebtedness and amortization of debt expense and discount or premium		116.7
Portion of rents representative of interest factor		24.2
Loss of less than fifty-percent-owned subsidiaries		0.4
Income as adjusted		1,523.2
Fixed charges:
Interest on indebtedness and amortization of debt expense and  discount or premium		116.7
Portion of rents representative of interest factor		24.2
Capitalized interest		3.6
Total fixed charges	$	144.5
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		10.5