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

     In connection with the Annual Report of Conseco, Inc. (the "Company") on
Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, William J. Shea,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18
U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, that to my knowledge:

     (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/ William J. Shea
- -------------------
William J. Shea
President and Chief Executive Officer
March 15, 2004


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