


                                                                   Exhibit 23.01



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the  incorporation  by reference of our report dated  February 19,
1997,  with respect to the  consolidated  financial  statements  and schedule of
Equitable  Resources,  Inc.  included in this Annual  Report (Form 10-K) for the
year  ended  December  31,  1996  in  the  Prospectus   part  of  the  following
Registration Statements:

      Registration  Statement No. 33-52151 on Form S-8 pertaining to the
      1994 Equitable Resources, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan;

      Registration  Statement No. 33-52137 on Form S-8 pertaining to the
      1994  Equitable  Resources,  Inc.  Non-Employee  Directors'  Stock
      Incentive Plan;

      Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  2 to  Registration  Statement  No.
      2-69010 on Form S-8  pertaining to the Equitable  Resources,  Inc.
      Key  Employee  Restricted  Stock  Option  and  Stock  Appreciation
      Rights Incentive Compensation Plan;

      Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  1 to  Registration  Statement  No.
      33-00252 on Form S-8 pertaining to the Equitable  Resources,  Inc.
      Employee Savings Plan;

      Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  1 to  Registration  Statement  No.
      33-10508 on Form S-8 pertaining to the Equitable  Resources,  Inc.
      Key  Employee  Restricted  Stock  Option  and  Stock  Appreciation
      Rights Incentive Compensation Plan;

      Registration  Statement No. 33-53703 on Form S-3 pertaining to the
      registration  of  $100,000,000  Medium  Term  Notes,  Series  C of
      Equitable Resources, Inc.;

      Registration  Statement No. 33-62025 on Form S-3 pertaining to the
      registration of 71,110 shares of Equitable Resources,  Inc. common
      stock;

      Registration  Statement No. 33-62027 on Form S-3 pertaining to the
      registration  of  161,454  shares  of  Equitable  Resources,  Inc.
      common stock;

      Registration  Statement  No.  333-01879 on Form S-8  pertaining to
      the Equitable Resources, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan;

      Registration  Statement  No.  333-03149 on Form S-3  pertaining to
      the  registration of 239,316 shares of Equitable  Resources,  inc.
      common stock;

      Registration  Statement  No.  333-06839 on Form S-3  pertaining to
      the  registration  of $168,000,000 of debt securities of Equitable
      Resources, Inc.;

      Registration  Statement No.  333-22529 on Form S-8  pertaining  to
      the Equitable Resources, Inc. Employee Savings and Protection Plan.





                                       By         /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
                                                      Ernst  & Young LLP



Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 24, 1997

