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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
January 26, 1998, in the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-58829) and
related Prospectus of Coulter Pharmaceutical, Inc. for the registration of
2,300,000 shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference
therein of our report dated January 26, 1998, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year
ended December 31, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Palo Alto, California
July 27, 1998