EXHIBIT 32.1

 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                 SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr., as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of Baxter International Inc. (the "Company"), certifies, pursuant to 18
U.S.C. (S)1350, as adopted pursuant to (S)906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
that:

     (1)  the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
          ended September 30, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
          Commission on the date hereof (the "Report") fully complies with the
          requirements of Section 13(a) 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/ Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr.
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Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr.
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
November 6, 2003