EXHIBIT 32.1


                CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
                       AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
             OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 (FURNISHED HEREWITH)


I, Charles B. Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Resources,  Inc. (the
"Company"),  certify,  pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

     1.   The Annual  Report on Form 10-K of the  Company  for the  fiscal  year
          ended  September  30,  2003 (the  "Report")  fully  complies  with the
          requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act
          of 1934; 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:  December 19, 2003                   /s/ CHARLES B. JOHNSON
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Charles B. Johnson
                                            Chief Executive Officer