Exhibit 23.01

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the  incorporation by reference of our report dated February 25,
1999, with respect to the  consolidated  financial  statements and schedule of
Equitable  Resources,  Inc. included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year  ended  December  31,  1998  in the  Prospectus  part  of  the  following
Registration Statements:

         Registration  Statement  No.  33-52151 on Form S-8  pertaining to the
         1994 Equitable Resources, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan;

         Registration  Statement  No.  33-52137 on Form S-8  pertaining to the
         1994  Equitable  Resources,   Inc.   Non-Employee   Directors'  Stock
         Incentive Plan;

         Registration  Statement  No.  33-53703 on Form S-3  pertaining to the
         registration of $100,000,000 Medium-Term Notes, Series C of Equitable
         Resources, Inc.;

         Post-Effective  Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement No. 2-69010
         on Form S-8 pertaining to the Equitable Resources,  Inc. Key Employee
         Restricted  Stock  Option  and Stock  Appreciation  Rights  Incentive
         Compensation Plan;

         Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 33-00252
         on Form S-8  pertaining to the  Equitable  Resources,  Inc.  Employee
         Savings Plan;

         Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 33-10508
         on Form S-8 pertaining to the Equitable Resources,  Inc. Key Employee
         Restricted  Stock  Option  and Stock  Appreciation  Rights  Incentive
         Compensation Plan;

         Registration  Statement No.  333-01879 on Form S-8  pertaining to the
         Equitable Resources, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan;

         Registration  Statement No.  333-22529 on Form S-8  pertaining to the
         Equitable Resources, Inc. Employee Savings and Protection Plan;

         Registration  Statement No.  333-20323 on Form S-3  pertaining to the
         registration  of 164,345 shares of Equitable  Resources,  Inc. common
         stock;

         Registration  Statement No.  333-32197 on Form S-8  pertaining to the
         Equitable Resources, Inc. Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan.

         Registration  Statement No.  333-06839 on Form S-3  pertaining to the
         registration   of   $168,000,000  of  debt  securities  of  Equitable
         Resources, Inc.;








Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania              By       /s/ Ernst & Young LLP 
March 17, 1999                                     Ernst & Young LLP