Exhibit 99.1350CERT

         Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act

      I, Robert C. Doll, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Debt Strategies Fund,
      Inc. (the "Fund"), certify that:

            1.    The N-CSR of the Fund (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 Fund.

      Dated: April 22, 2005


                                        /s/ Robert C. Doll, Jr.
                                        -----------------------
                                        Robert C. Doll, Jr.,
                                        Chief Executive Officer of
                                        Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

      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 Debt
      Strategies Fund, Inc. and will be retained by Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
      and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon
      request.



Exhibit 99.1350CERT

         Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act

      I, Donald C. Burke, Chief Financial Officer of Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
      (the "Fund"), certify that:

            1.    The N-CSR of the Fund (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 Fund.

            Dated: April 22, 2005


                                        /s/ Donald C. Burke
                                        -------------------
                                        Donald C. Burke,
                                        Chief Financial Officer of
                                        Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

      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 Debt
      Strategies Fund, Inc. and will be retained by Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
      and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon
      request.