Exhibit 23.1



                                          Consent of Independent Auditors



     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statement
(Form S-8 No.  333-05561)  pertaining to the 1993 Stock Option Plan and the 1994
Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan, and the Registration  Statements (Form S-3
No.  333-42419,  Form S-3 No.  333-29477,  and Form S-3 No.  33-78016)  of NaPro
BioTherapeutics,  Inc. and in the related Prospectuses of our report dated March
23,  1998  with  respect  to the  consolidated  financial  statements  of  NaPro
BioTherapeutics, Inc. incorporated by reference in the Annual Report (Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 1997.

                                        /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP 
                                        ----------------------------
                                        ERNST YOUNG LLP


Denver, Colorado
March 30, 1998