EXHIBIT 32.1

                 CERTIFICATE 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 quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Centene Corporation
(the Company) for the period ended June 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), the undersigned,
Michael F. Neidorff, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

    1.  the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
        15(d) of the Securities and 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.

    A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

                                           /s/ Michael F. Neidorff
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Michael F. Neidorff
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer
                                           (principal executive officer)

Dated: July 28, 2003