Exhibit 23.1
 

                 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                 ----------------------------------

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-14058) our report dated February 6, 1997,
appearing within Exhibit 13.1 which has been incorporated by reference into
various items of Michael Baker Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1996.  We also consent to the incorporation by
reference of our report on the Financial Statement Schedule, which appears as
Exhibit 99.2 of this Form 10-K.



/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
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Price Waterhouse LLP
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 28, 1997