EXHIBIT 23(b)






                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS




We  consent  to  the  incorporation  by  reference  in  Amendment  No.  1 to the
Registration  Statement  (Form S-3 No.  333-12031)  and  related  Prospectus  of
Cousins Properties  Incorporated,  Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
(Form S-3 No.  33-60350)  and  related  Prospectus  pertaining  to the  Dividend
Reinvestment  Plan  of  Cousins  Properties  Incorporated,  in the  Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-56787) and related Prospectus  pertaining to the 1989
Stock Option Plan of Cousins  Properties  Incorporated,  and in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-41927) and related Prospectus  pertaining to the 1989
Stock  Option  Plan,  1987  Restricted  Stock  Plan for  Outside  Directors  and
Incentive  Stock Option Plan of Cousins  Properties  Incorporated  of our report
dated January 31, 1997, with respect to the financial statements and schedule of
CSC Associates,  L.P. and our report dated February 6, 1997, with respect to the
financial  statements and schedule of Haywood Mall  Associates,  included in the
Form 10-K of Cousins  Properties  Incorporated  for the year ended  December 31,
1996.




                                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP





Atlanta, Georgia
March 24, 1997