Exhibit 99.04


                      CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350


In connection with the accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The
Southern Company for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, I, Gale E. Klappa,
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, hereby certify
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, that:

(1)  such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The Southern Company for the quarter
     ended June 30, 2002, which this statement accompanies, 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 such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The
     Southern Company for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, fairly presents, in
     all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
     The Southern Company.



                                                 /s/Gale E. Klappa
                                                   Gale E. Klappa
                                      Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
                                                 Officer and Treasurer


Date:  August 12, 2002