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                                                                    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 Beverly
Enterprises, Inc. for the registration of 1,000,000 shares of its common stock
and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February 4,
1994, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of
Beverly Enterprises, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10K) for the year
ended December 31, 1993, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                               ERNST & YOUNG

Little Rock, Arkansas
April 1, 1994
