<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1350 CERT
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>e300324_ex99-1350cert.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
<TEXT>
Exhibit 99.1350CERT

         Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act

I, Terry K. Glenn, President 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 21, 2003

                                                      /s/ Terry K. Glenn
                                                      --------------------------
                                                      Terry K. Glenn,
                                                      President of
                                                      Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
<PAGE>

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 21, 2003

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


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
