<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>dex23.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
<TEXT>
<PAGE>


                                                                    (EXHIBIT 23)

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on
Form S-8 and related Prospectus pertaining to the registration of 9,486,773
shares of Common Stock under The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.'s 2002 Stock
Incentive Plan of our reports dated January 29, 2002, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
incorporated by reference in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2001 and the related financial statement schedule included therein,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                           /S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

New York, New York
July 9, 2002

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
