[EX.-99.906CERT]

                                                                     Exhibit (b)

                           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/ Gary E. Wendlandt
                                               _______________________
                                               Gary E. Wendlandt
                                               Chairman

                                         Date: March 11, 2005

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

                                         Date: March 11, 2005