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                                                                    Exhibit 23.3

                         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 dated September 7, 2001
of Ashland Inc. and consolidated subsidiaries (Ashland) and to the incorporation
by reference therein (i) of our report dated January 24, 2001, with respect to
the consolidated financial statements of Arch Coal, Inc., and (ii) of our
opinion dated March 28, 2001 with respect to the consolidated financial schedule
of Arch Coal, Inc., included in Ashland's Annual Report on Form 10-K (as amended
by Form 10-K/A, amendment No.1) for the year ended September 30, 2000.

                                                           /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

St. Louis, Missouri
September 5, 2001


