
<PAGE>


                                                                    Exhibit 23.1


                      CONSENT OF 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 Ashland Inc.
for the  registration  of  1,312,500  shares of its common stock and to the
incorporation  by reference  therein of our reports dated November 2, 1994,
with respect to the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  schedules of
Ashland  Inc.  (name  change  from  Ashland  Oil,  Inc.) and  subsidiaries,
included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended  September 30,
1994 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                     Ernst & Young LLP



February 8, 1995

