Fundamental Investors, Inc.
                      One Market, Steuart Tower, Suite 1800
                         San Francisco, California 94105
                              Phone (415) 421-9360


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



JAMES F.  ROTHENBERG,  Chairman  and PEO,  and SHERYL F.  JOHNSON,  Treasurer of
Fundamental Investors, Inc., (the "Registrant"), each certify to the best of his
or her knowledge that:

1)   The  Registrant's  periodic  report on Form N-CSR for the period ended June
     30, 2004 (the "Form N-CSR") fully complies with the requirements of Section
     13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2)   The  information  contained  in the  Form  N-CSR  fairly  presents,  in all
     material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
     Registrant.


Chief Executive Officer                             Chief Financial Officer

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTORS, INC.                         FUNDAMENTAL INVESTORS, INC.



By /s/ James F. Rothenberg                          By /s/ Sheryl F. Johnson
- ------------------------------                      ---------------------------
James F. Rothenberg, Chairman                       Sheryl F. Johnson, Treasurer

Date: September 7, 2004                             Date:  September 7, 2004


A signed  original  of this  written  statement  required  by Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to FUNDAMENTAL INVESTORS,  INC. and
will be retained by FUNDAMENTAL INVESTORS,  INC. and furnished to the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") or its staff upon request.

This  certification  is being furnished to the Commission  solely pursuant to 18
U.S.C.  Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Form N-CSR filed with
the Commission.