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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1



                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference of our report  included in this Current  Report on Form 8-K,  into the
Company's previously filed Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No.
333-30187).



                                       ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP



September 8, 1998
Houston, Texas

