

                                                            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 482,575 shares of its common stock and to the
incorporation  by reference  therein of our report dated  November 5, 1997,
with  respect  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  financial
statement schedule of Ashland Inc. and subsidiaries, included in its Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended  September  30, 1997,  filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                             /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

                                           Ernst & Young LLP



March 17, 1998



