Equus Total Return (EQS) 10-K 2008 FY Annual report

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

In connection with the accompanying Annual Report of Equus Total Return, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008 (the “Report”), I, Kenneth I. Denos, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) To my knowledge, the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: March 31, 2009

/s/ KENNETH I. DENOS

Kenneth I. Denos

Chief Executive Officer