<PAGE>

HARMON INDUSTRIES, INC.                                            EXHIBIT 11A
FORM 10-K                                                          -----------
DECEMBER 31, 1996


Computation of earnings per share (Instruction H(g))
----------------------------------------------------

Computation of the average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding for
the three months ended December 31, 1996 and 1995.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      (1)           (2)              (3)                  (4)
                                                                                Average number of
                                                                                shares outstanding
                                                                                as shown on
                                                                                consolidated statements
                                Shares of       Number                          of operations (3)
                                 common         of days         Share days      divided by number
                                 stock          outstanding      (2 x 1)        of days in period
                                ---------       -----------    ------------     -----------------------
<S>                             <C>             <C>            <C>              <C>
           1996

October 1 - December 31         6,823,273             92       627,741,116

Options exercised                   1,000              8             8,000
                                    5,000              7            35,000

Equivalent shares under the
 Company's option plans            39,897             92         3,670,524
                                                              ------------
                                                               631,454,640               6,863,637
                                                              ------------               ---------
                                                              ------------               ---------


           1995

October 1 - December 31         6,805,626             92       626,117,592

Equivalent shares under
 the Company's bonus plan           2,698             92           248,189

Equivalent shares under the
 Company's option plans            25,461            92          2,342,412
                                                              ------------
                                                               628,708,193               6,833,785
                                                              ------------               ---------
                                                              ------------               ---------
</TABLE>

                                     29

<PAGE>

Computation of the average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding for
the twelve months ended December 31, 1996 and 1995.

                  1996

Quarter 1 weighted average     6,828,883
Quarter 2 weighted average     6,834,674
Quarter 3 weighted average     6,837,743
Quarter 4 weighted average     6,844,216
                                           Divided by
                              27,345,516   4 quarters =        6,836,379
                                                               ---------
                                                               ---------




                  1995

Quarter 1 weighted average     6,814,783
Quarter 2 weighted average     6,823,650
Quarter 3 weighted average     6,837,112
Quarter 4 weighted average     6,833,785
                                           Divided by
                              27,309,330   4 quarters =        6,827,333
                                                               ---------
                                                               ---------
                                     30