GMA

                                                                     Exhibit 23a






INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the use in this  Post-effective  Amendment  No. 3 to  Registration
Statement No.  33-89676 of American  Skandia Life Assurance  Corporation on Form
S-2 of our report dated March 10, 1997,  included and  incorporated by reference
in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of American Skandia Life Assurance Corporation
for the year ended  December 31, 1997,  and to the use of our report dated March
10, 1997,  appearing  in the  Prospectus,  which is a part of this  Registration
Statement.  We also consent to the reference to us under the headings  "Experts"
and "Selected  Financial  Data"  appearing in the Prospectus  which is a part of
such Registration Statement.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
April 23, 1998