Exhibit (23)-8

                                   CONSENT
                                      OF
                              SMITH BARNEY INC.

   We hereby  consent to (i) the inclusion of our opinion letter to the Board of
Directors  of  HEALTHSOUTH  Corporation   ("HEALTHSOUTH")  as  Annex  B  to  the
Prospectus-Joint  Proxy Statement of HEALTHSOUTH and Surgical Health Corporation
("SHC")  relating  to the  proposed  merger  of a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of
HEALTHSOUTH  with and into  SHC and  (ii)  references  made to our firm and such
opinion  in  "SUMMARY  OF  PROSPECTUS-JOINT  PROXY  STATEMENT  -- The  Merger --
Opinions of Financial  Advisors -- HEALTHSOUTH"  and "THE MERGER  -Background of
the Merger" and "-- Opinions of Financial Advisors -HEALTHSOUTH". In giving such
consent,  we do not admit that we come  within  the  category  of persons  whose
consent  is  required  under,  and we do not admit and we  disclaim  that we are
"experts" for purposes of, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.


                                    By: /s/ SMITH BARNEY INC.
                                       ------------------------
                                            SMITH BARNEY INC.


New York, New York
March 8, 1995