To evaluate the expression \( s - t \) for \( s = 8.7 \) and \( t = 12.2 \), we can substitute the values into the expression:
\[ s - t = 8.7 - 12.2 \]
Now, performing the subtraction:
\[ 8.7 - 12.2 = -3.5 \]
So, the answer is:
\[ \boxed{-3.5} \]