EXHIBIT 23:  CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
of Paychex, Inc. of our report dated June 21, 2001, included in the fiscal 2001
Annual Report to Stockholders of Paychex, Inc.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
of Paychex, Inc., outlined below, of our report dated June 21, 2001, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of Paychex, Inc. incorporated
by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2001.

a.      Form S-8 - Paychex, Inc. 1987 Stock Incentive Plan - as filed with the
        Securities and Exchange Commission on October 9, 1987 (No. 33-17780)
        together with Post Effective Amendment No. 1 filed on November 13,
        1992.
b.      Form S-8 - Paychex, Inc. 1992 Stock Incentive Plan - as filed with the
        Securities and Exchange Commission on October 2, 1992 (No. 33-52772).
c.      Form S-8 - Paychex, Inc. 401(k) Incentive Retirement Plan - as filed
        with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 2, 1992 (No.
        33-52838).
d.      Form S-8 - Pay-Fone Systems, Inc. 1993, 1990, 1987, 1983, 1981
        Incentive Stock Option Plans and Director Non-Qualified Stock Option
        Agreements, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
        June 15, 1995 (No. 33-60255).
e.      Form S-8 - Paychex, Inc. 1995 Stock Incentive Plan - as filed with the
        Securities and Exchange Commission on November 17, 1995 (No. 33-64389).
f.      Form S-3 - Paychex, Inc. Registration Statement under the Securities
        Act of 1933 - as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
        January 31, 1997 (No. 333-20797), together with Amendment #1 filed on
        March 27, 1997 and Amendment #2 filed on May 22, 1997.
g.      Form S-8 - Paychex, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan - as filed with the
        Securities and Exchange Commission on October 1, 1998 (No. 333-65191).
h.      Form S-8 - Paychex, Inc. 401(k) Incentive Retirement Plan - as filed
        with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 1999 (No.
        333-84055).

Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of Paychex, Inc.
listed in Item 14(a). This schedule is the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In
our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when considered
in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly
in all material respects the information set forth therein.

                                        /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
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                                        ERNST & YOUNG LLP
August 23, 2001
Buffalo , New York