EXHIBIT 23

                             ERNST & YOUNG LLP



                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in (1) the Registration
Statement (Form S-8, Number 33-15064, dated June 17, 1987, pertaining to
the Chemical Financial Corporation 1987 Award and Stock Option Plan, (2)
the Registration Statement (Form S-8, Number 33-40792, dated May 21, 1991)
pertaining to the Chemical Financial Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan and in
the related Prospectus, (3) the Registration Statement (Form S-8, Number
33-47356, dated April 28, 1992) pertaining to the Chemical Financial
Corporation 1992 Stock Purchase Plan for Subsidiary Directors (4) the
Registration Statement (Form S-8, Number 333-38511, dated October 22, 1997)
pertaining to the Chemical Financial Corporation 1997 Stock Incentive Plan
and (5) the Registration Statement (Form S-8, Number 333-70225), dated
January 6, 1999, pertaining to Chemical Financial Corporation 1998 Stock
Purchase Plan of our report dated January 19, 1999 with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Chemical Financial Corporation
included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31,
1998.

We consent to the incorporation by reference of (1) the Registration
Statement (Form S-8, Number 33-40792, dated May 21, 1991) pertaining to the
Chemical Financial Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan and in the related
Prospectus of our report dated February 12, 1999, with respect to the
financial statements and schedules of the Chemical Financial Corporation
401(k) Savings Plan included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year
ended December 31, 1998 and (2) the Registration Statement (Form S-8,
Number 33-47356, dated April 28, 1992) pertaining to the Chemical Financial
Corporation 1992 Stock Purchase Plan for Subsidiary Directors and in the
related Prospectus of our report dated February 5, 1999, with respect to
the financial statements of the Chemical Financial Corporation 1992 Stock
Purchase Plan for Subsidiary Directors included in the Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1998.



March 22, 1999                     /s/  Ernst & Young LLP