EXHIBIT 23
                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
                                     

      We  consent  to the incorporation by reference in this Annual  Report
(Form  10-K) of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. of our report dated March  21,  1997,
included in the 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

      We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated
March  21,  1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements  of
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. incorporated by reference in this Annual Report (Form
10-K)  for  the year ended January 31, 1997, in the following  registration
statements and related prospectuses.


     The Wholesale Club, Inc.
      Incentive Stock Option Plan
      of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.          Form S-8       File No. 33-42617

     Associate Stock Purchase Plan
      of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.          Form S-8       File No. 2-64662

     Stock Option Plan of 1984 of
      Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., as         Form S-8       File No. 2-94358
      amended                                            and 33-43315

     Stock Option Plan of 1994 of
      Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.             Form S-8       File No. 33-55325

     Debt Securities and Pass-
      Through Certificates of
      Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.             Form S-3       File No. 33-55725

     Director Compensation Plan
      of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.          Form S-8       File No. 333-24259

     Debt Securities of Wal-Mart
      Stores, Inc.                      Form S-3       File No. 33-53125

     Dividend Reinvestment and
      Stock Purchase Plan of
      Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.             Form S-3       File No. 333-2089



                                             ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Tulsa, Oklahoma
April 18, 1997