
<PAGE>
 
                                                            Exhibit 12


                   BELL ATLANTIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
               Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                             (Dollars in Millions)
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<CAPTION>
                                                             Nine months ended
                                                             September 30, 1995
                                                             ------------------
<S>                                                          <C> 
Income before provision for income taxes...................      $  2,387.7     
Equity in income of less than majority-owned subsidiaries..           (90.3)   
Dividends from less than majority-owned subsidiaries.......            81.3    
Interest expense, including interest on capital lease                          
 obligations...............................................           433.1    
Portion of rent expense representative of the interest                         
 factor....................................................            69.5    
                                                                 ----------    
Income, as adjusted........................................      $  2,881.3    
                                                                 ==========    
                                                                               
Fixed charges:                                                                 
Interest expense, including interest on capital lease                          
 obligations...............................................      $    433.1    
Portion of rent expense representative of the interest                         
 factor....................................................            69.5    
Capitalized interest.......................................            46.9    
Preferred stock dividend requirement.......................             7.3    
                                                                 ----------    
                                                                               
Fixed charges..............................................      $    556.8    
                                                                 ==========    
                                                                               
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.........................            5.17    
                                                                 ==========    
 
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