EXHIBIT 32.1

                      CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
            OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 (18 U.S.C SECTION 1350)

      The undersigned, as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of Matria Healthcare, Inc., certifies that, to the best of his knowledge and
belief, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2005,
which accompanies this certification fully complies with the requirements of
Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the information
contained in the periodic report fairly presents, in all material respects, the
financial condition and results of operations of Matria Healthcare, Inc. at the
dates and for the periods indicated. The foregoing certification is made
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section
1350) and shall not be relied upon for any other purpose.

      This 6th day of May 2005.

                                                      /s/ Parker H. Petit
                                                      -------------------------
                                                      Parker H. Petit
                                                      Chairman of the Board and
                                                      Chief Executive Officer

      A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or
other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the
signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this
written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to Matria
Healthcare, Inc. and will be retained by Matria Healthcare, Inc. and furnished
to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

      The information in this Exhibit 32.1 shall not be deemed "filed" for
purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor
shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities
Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in
such filing.