EXHIBIT 23.1

Consent of Independent Public Accountants

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
Central and South West Corporation:

          As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation of our report dated February 16, 1998, included in this Form 10-K,
into Central and South West Corporation's previously filed registration
statements on Form S-8 (File Nos. 2-70746, 33-12992, 33-49301, 33-63027 and
33-64233) and on Form S-3 (File No. 33-50193 and 333-00911).



Arthur Andersen LLP



Dallas, Texas
March 25, 1998