So what if Bill Gates's net worth is close to $50 billion. His company provided the greatest financial returns for his "pay," at least according to a new Business Week survey. The Microsoft chief executive provided shareholders with an average 31 percent return on equity between 1995 and 1997, while he was paid $1.57 million during the same period. That ranked tops in the magazine's survey, followed by the CEOs of South New England Telephone, Paychex, Times Mirror, and Costco. But consider this: Pay is defined as salary, bonus, and long-term compensation during the three-year period. Gates's net worth is based on his total stock holdings, and that's what brings his figure close to $50 billion. Under the category, "executives who gave shareholders the most for their pay," Gates ranked No. 2 behind Cosco CEO James Sinegal. Gates's bridge-playing billionaire buddy Warren Buffett, head of Berkshire Hathaway, ranked No. 5. Again, pay was defined under the same terms.