It is shown that if the prime ideal {Mathematical expression},⋯, x4], k an arbitrary field, has generic zero xi=tni, ni positive integers with g.c.d. equal l, l ≤ i ≤ 4, then P(S) is a set-theoretic complete intersection if the numerical semigroup S=<n1,⋯, n4> is symmetric (i.e. if the extension of P(S) in k[[x1,⋯, x4]] is a Gorenstein ideal). © 1979 Springer-Verlag.