<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>capitals8ex231083104.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
<TEXT>

                                                                    Exhibit 23.1



            Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement Form
S-8 pertaining to the 1999 Stock Option Plan of Capital Southwest Corporation of
our  report  dated May 12,  2004,  with  respect to the  consolidated  financial
statements  and  schedules of Capital  Southwest  Corporation  and  subsidiaries
incorporated  by reference  in its Annual  Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
March 31, 2004, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                                         Ernst & Young LLP



August 27, 2004

Dallas, Texas







</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
