
<PAGE>   1



                                                                    Exhibit 23.1






          CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-56656) of John Alden Financial Corporation of our
report dated June 24, 1998 appearing on page 3 of the Annual Report of the John
Alden Employee Savings Incentive Plan on Form 11-K for the year ended December
31, 1997.




/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
------------------------
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

Miami, Florida
June 24, 1998


                                       20
