Exhibit 99.1


            THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES

          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 on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30, 2002 of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (the
"Company") as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date
hereof (the "Report"), I, Christopher M. Condron, Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

      (1) The Report 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 Report fairly presents, in all
      material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
      the Company.

                                    /s/ Christopher M. Condron
                                    --------------------------
                                      Christopher M. Condron
                                      Chairman of the Board, President and
                                      Chief Executive Officer

Date: August 14, 2002