Exhibit 24.1


               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



     We  have  issued  our  report  dated  April  22,  1997,   accompanying  the
consolidated financial statements and schedules included in the Annual Report of
Countrywide Credit Industries, Inc. on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28,
1997. We hereby consent to the  incorporation by reference of said report in the
Registration Statements of Countrywide Credit Industries, Inc. on From S-3 (File
No.  333-06473,  effective  June 21, 1996;  File No.  33-59559 and  33-59559-01,
effective June 26, 1995 and as amended on April 23, 1997;  File No. 333-3835 and
333-3835-01,  effective  August  2,  1996;  File  No.  333-14111,  333-14111-01,
333-14111-02,  and  333-14111-03,  effective  December 10, 1996) and on Form S-8
(File No. 33-9231,  effective October 20, 1986, as amended on February 19, 1987,
and as amended on December 20, 1988; File No. 33-17271,  effective  December 20,
1987;  File No.  33-42625,  effective  September  6,  1991;  File No.  33-56168,
effective  December 22, 1992;  and File No.  33-69498,  effective  September 28,
1993; as supplemented on September 28, 1996).

GRANT THORNTON LLP


Los Angeles, California
April 22, 1997