Exhibit 32.1


            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,  2004 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,  Chairman  of the Board,
President and 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 12, 2004