

                                                     Exhibit 23.1


                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

   
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption  "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Amendment No. 1 to 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, as amended by Form 10-K/A) for the year ended
September 30, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                      Ernst & Young LLP


Louisville, Kentucky
April 29, 1998
    
