MAYTAG CORPORATION

                               Exhibit 23  

                      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP

                                



                       Consent of Independent Auditors





Shareowners and Board of Directors
Maytag Corporation

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Number
33-8249, Registration Statement Number 33-8248, Registration Statement Number
33-6378, Registration Statement Number 33-22228, and Registration Statement
Number 33-26620 on Forms S-8; and Registration Statement Number 33-35219 on
Form S-3 of Maytag Corporation and in the related Prospectuses of our report
dated February 2, 1999, with respect to the consolidated financial statements
and schedule of Maytag Corporation included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 1998.






                                                             Ernst & Young LLP





                                                             Chicago, Illinois
                                                             March 17, 1999