

                                                              EXHIBIT 23(b)






                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS




We consent to the  incorporation  by reference  in  Amendment  No. 1 to the
Registration  Statement  (Form  S-3 No.  33-60350)  pertaining  to the  Dividend
Reinvestment  Plan  of  Cousins  Properties  Incorporated  and  in  the  related
Prospectus,  in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-56787) pertaining to
the 1989 Stock Option Plan of Cousins Properties Incorporated and in the related
Prospectus, and in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-41927) pertaining
to the 1989 Stock Option Plan, 1987 Restricted Stock Plan for Outside  Directors
and Incentive Stock Option Plan of Cousins  Properties  Incorporated  and in the
related  Prospectus,  of our report dated February 6, 1996,  with respect to the
financial  statements and schedule of CSC Associates,  L.P. and our report dated
February 8, 1996,  with  respect to the  financial  statements  and  schedule of
Haywood  Mall  Associates,  included  in the  Form  10-K of  Cousins  Properties
Incorporated for the year ended December 31, 1995.




                                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP





Atlanta, Georgia
March 28, 1996











