EXHIBIT 24(a)
 
              CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
  We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 registering 1.5 million shares of common
stock pertaining to the 1989 Employee Stock Purchase Plan of Jacobs
Engineering Group Inc. and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
report dated November 3, 1995, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. and subsidiaries incorporated by
reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended September 30,
1995 and the related financial statement schedules included therein, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Los Angeles, California
February 29, 1996