[EX.-99.906 CERT]

                                                                  Exhibit (b)(2)

                           SECTION 906 CERTIFICATIONS

         In connection with this report on Form N-CSR for the Registrant as
furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the
"Report"), the undersigned hereby certify, 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 applicable; and

         (2)      the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in
all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Registrant.

                                      By: /s/Stephen C. Roussin
                                          Stephen C. Roussin
                                          President

                                      Date: January 6, 2004

                                      By: /s/Patrick J. Farrell
                                          Patrick J. Farrell
                                          Treasurer and
                                          Chief Financial and Accounting Officer

                                      Date: January 6, 2004

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

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