EX-23.1

                                                             EXHIBIT 23.1

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

          We  consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement  (Form S-8, No. 333-___________)  pertaining  to the Nichols TXEN
Corporation  Key  Employee  Incentive  Stock  Option  Plan  of  our  report
dated October 8,  1997,  with respect to the consolidated  financial state-
ments  of  Nichols  Research Corporation  included  in  its  Annual  Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended August 31, 1997, filed with  the  Securities
and Exchange Commission.

                                        ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Birmingham, Alabama
July 30, 1998