COMPUTATION OF NET EARNINGS PER SHARE
                        General Nutrition Companies, Inc.


Primary earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted
average number of common shares and common stock equivilents outstanding.
Fully diluted earnings per share further assumes the issuance of additional
shares of common stock and the elimination of tax effected interest expense for
the conversion of convertible debentures.  The loss per share amounts do not
include common stock equivalents since that would reduce the net loss per share.

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<CAPTION>

                                                                   
                                 12 Weeks        12 Weeks         36 Weeks        36 Weeks
                                   Ended           Ended            Ended           Ended
                                October 12,     October 14,      October 12,      October 14,
                                   1996            1995             1996             1995


                                            (In thousands, except per share data)

<S>                                                                   
Net earnings (loss) available     <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>
  for common shares               17,870          15,899          (13,831)          46,137

Elimination of tax effected                                        
  interest expense on       
  convertible debt for fully
  diluted per share calculations    -                 42              -                450

                                                                   
Common stock                      82,853          86,070          86,364            80,041
Outstanding warrants                -                372              -              1,058
Outstanding options                1,717           2,904              -              2,407
Primary weighted average                                             
  common shares                   84,570          89,346          86,364            83,506
                                                                   

Common stock                      82,853          86,070          86,364            80,041
Outstanding warrants                -                372              -              1,090
Outstanding options                2,144           2,928              -              3,209
Conversion of convertible debt                                     
  into common stock                 -                826              -              5,744
Fully diluted weighted average                                     
  common shares                   84,997          90,196          86,364            90,084
                                                                   

Primary earnings (loss)
  per share                        0.21            0.18           (0.16)             0.55
                                                                   
Fully diluted earnings (loss)                                      
  per share                        0.21            0.18           (0.16)             0.52
                                                                   
                                                                   
                                                                   
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