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                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                 CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the 
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Inhale 
Therapeutic Systems, Inc. for the registration of 1,200,000 shares of its 
common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report 
dated January 22, 1998, with respect to the financial statements of Inhale 
Therapeutic Systems, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the 
year ended December 31, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission.

                                        /S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Palo Alto, California 
December 11 , 1998





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