INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit 23

Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, independent auditor, with respect to the
incorporation by reference in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
S-8 (Nos. 33-31979,33-51951 and 33-51953) of their report on the financial
statements filed herewith.

Sequential Page No.



SIGNATURES

THE PLAN. Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have
duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.

CONE MILLS CORPORATION EMPLOYEE EQUITY PLAN - HOURLY

By: /s/ Terry L. Weatherford,
         Terry L. Weatherford, Member of Advisory Committee

By: /s/ Gary L. Smith
         Gary L. Smith, Member of Advisory Committee

Date: June 16, 2000



MCGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP
Certified Public Accountants
Greensboro  NC



Exhibit 23


CONSENT OF McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in Cone Mills Corporation's
Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-31979;33-51951; and 33-51953) of
our reports dated October 23, 1998 with respect to the Cone Mills Corporation
Employee Equity Plan - Hourly for the year ended December 31, 1997 and period
January 1, 1998 through June 1, 1998 and April 27, 2000 with respect to The
401(k) Program (Hourly) of Cone Mills Corporation for the period June 1, 1998
through December 31, 1998 and year ended December 31,1999, such reports included
in a Form 11-K.



/s/McGladrey & Pullen, LLP


Greensboro, North Carolina
June 14, 2000