COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Published on July 3, 1997



Exhibit 12.1

RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK
DIVIDENDS



Year Ended December 31,
Quarter Ended ----------------------------------------------
March 31, 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
-------------- ----------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)

Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle, but after minority
interest.................................................. $35,982 $156,160 $165,322 $109,298 $31,281
Add:
Portion of rents representative of the interest factor.... 67 -- -- -- --
Interest expense.......................................... 1,933 6,553 6,424 192 --
------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Income as adjusted......................................... $37,982 $162,713 $171,746 $109,490 $31,281
======= ======== ======== ======== =======
Fixed charges:
Interest expense.......................................... $ 1,933 $ 6,553 $ 6,424 $ 192 $ --
Preferred dividends....................................... 545 -- 2,536 12,879 --
Portion of rents representative of the interest factor.... 67 -- -- -- --
------- -------- -------- -------- -------
Total..................................................... $ 2,545 $ 6,553 $ 8,960 $ 13,071 $ --
======= ======== ======== ======== =======
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges......................... 14.9x 24.8x 19.2x 8.4x N/A