Exhibit 23.(a)
                                                                  
      
The Shareholders
Florida Progress Corporation:
 
We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements No.
33-51573 on Form S-3, No. 33-53939 on Form S-8, No. 33-45044 on Form S-3, No.
33-47623 on Form S-8, No. 33-39153 on Form S-8, No. 2-93111 on Form S-3, No. 33-
56873 on Form S-3, No. 333-00547 on Form S-3, No. 333-19037 on Form S-8 and No.
333-07853 on Form S-3 of Florida Progress Corporation of our report dated
January 27, 1997, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Florida
Progress Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the
related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows
for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, and all
related schedules, which report appears in the December 31, 1996 annual report
on Form 10-K of Florida Progress Corporation.
  
  

/s/KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
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KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
St. Petersburg, Florida                                                        

        
      
  
March 27, 1997