The Growth Fund of America, 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 The
Growth Fund of America,  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
     February 29, 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

THE GROWTH FUND OF AMERICA, INC.                THE GROWTH FUND OF AMERICA, INC.


/s/ James F. Rothenberg                         /s/ Sheryl F. Johnson
- ------------------------------                  ------------------------------
James F. Rothenberg, Chairman                   Sheryl F. Johnson, Treasurer
Date: May 7, 2004                               Date:  May 7, 2004


A signed  original  of this  written  statement  required  by Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to THE GROWTH FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
and will be retained by THE GROWTH FUND OF AMERICA,  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.