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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3
    
 
   
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
    
 
   
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 33-54501) 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 LLP
    
 
Little Rock, Arkansas
August 3, 1994
