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

         I, C. Scott Kulicke, the Chief Executive Officer of Kulicke and Soffa
Industries, Inc., hereby certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, that:

         1.   the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kulicke and Soffa Industries,
              Inc. for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003 (the "September
              30, 2003 Form 10-K"), which this certification accompanies, fully
              complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
              Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

         2.   information contained in the September 30, 2003 Form 10-K fairly
              presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and
              results of operations of Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.

Dated: December 18, 2003

                                                     /s/ C. SCOTT KULICKE
                                                     -----------------------
                                                     C. Scott Kulicke
                                                     Chief Executive Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. and will be retained by Kulicke &
Soffa Industries and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its
Staff upon request.