EXHIBIT 99.1

                                  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 this annual report on Form 11-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2002 as filed on behalf of the King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (the "Plan"), I, Jefferson J. Gregory, the
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
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; and

       2.     The information contained in this report fairly presents, in all
              material respects, the financial condition and results of
              operations of the Plan.


Date: June 30, 2003

                                                /s/ Jefferson J. Gregory
                                                -------------------------------
                                                Jefferson J. Gregory
                                                Chairman of the Board and
                                                Chief Executive Officer