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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected
Consolidated Financial Data" and "Experts" and to the use of our report dated
February 2, 1997 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Coulter Pharmaceutical, Inc. and our report dated November 27, 1996 with respect
to the Antibody Therapeutics Business Operations of Coulter Corporation, in the
Registration Statement (Form S-1) and related Prospectus of Coulter
Pharmaceutical, Inc. for the registration of 2,300,000 shares of its common
stock.
 
                                                           /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Palo Alto, California
September 26, 1997