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                 CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 33-00000) and related Prospectus of Beverly
Enterprises, Inc. for the registration of up to 3,099,030 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 on Form 10-K, as
amended, for the year ended December 31, 1993, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
 
                                            ERNST & YOUNG
 
Little Rock, Arkansas
July 6, 1994
