EXHIBIT (32)(b)

                            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  Annual  Report  of  EastGroup  Properties,  Inc.  (the
"Company") on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2003 as filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  on the date hereof (the  "Report"),  I, N.
Keith McKey,  Chief Financial  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/ N. KEITH MCKEY
                                 N. Keith McKey
                                 Chief Financial Officer
                                 March 15, 2004



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.