Exhibit 23.1


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
CNS, Inc.

We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements Nos.
333-60017, 33-29454, 33-42971 and 33-59719 on Form S-8 of CNS, Inc. of our
report dated January 20, 2000, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of
CNS, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999, and 1998, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and comprehensive
income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1999, which report is included in the December 31, 1999, annual
report on Form 10-K of CNS, Inc.

/s/ KMPG LLP


Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 28, 2000