EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
   
     We consent to the inclusion in this registration statement on Form S-4 of
(i) our report dated October 1, 1998 on our audit of the consolidated balance
sheet of Pinnacle Global Group, Inc., (ii) our report dated February 17, 1998,
on our audits of the financial statements of TEI, Inc. and Subsidiaries, and
(iii) our report dated February 16, 1998 on our audits of the financial
statements of Spires Financial, L.P. We also consent to the reference to our
firm under the captions "Experts" and "Legal Matters."
    
                                                         PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP
   
Houston, Texas
November 19, 1998