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


In  connection  with the  Quarterly  Report of EastGroup  Properties,  Inc. (the
"Company")  on Form 10-Q for the period ended  September  30, 2003 as filed with
the Securities  and Exchange  Commission on the date hereof (the  "Report"),  I,
David H. Hoster II, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to
18 U.S.C.  1350, as adopted pursuant to 906 of the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act of 2002,
that, to my knowledge:

(1)  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.


                                    /s/ DAVID H. HOSTER II
                                    David H. Hoster II
                                    Chief Executive Officer
                                    November 12, 2003


A signed  original of this  written  statement  required by Section 906 has been
provided  to  EastGroup  Properties,  Inc.  and will be  retained  by  EastGroup
Properties,  Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its
staff upon request.