EXHIBIT 32.01

                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                       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 fiscal
quarter ended July 3, 2004 of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (the "Company") as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the
"Report"), I, Michael J. Fister, 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; 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/ Michael J. Fister
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Michael J. Fister
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer
                                         Date: August 10, 2004

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Cadence Design Systems, Inc. and will be retained by Cadence and
furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.