
                                                          Exhibit 23.1


We consent to the incorporation by reference in Amendment No. 3 to the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-54762) and the related Prospectus
of Ashland Inc. (Ashland) for the registration of 149,300 shares of its
common stock, of our report dated November 1, 2000, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedule of Ashland included in its
Annual Report on Form 10-K (as amended by Form 10-K/A) for the year ended
September 30, 2000, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.





/s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Cincinnati, Ohio
May 9, 2001




                                   II-5
