Exhibit 23.1





                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
     Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the UIC 401(k) Retirement Savings
     Plan of United Industrial Corporation and in the related prospectus of
     our report dated June 2, 1995, with respect to the financial
     statements of the UIC 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan included in this
     Annual Report (Form 11-K) for the year ended December 31, 1994.


                                               /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

     Baltimore, Maryland
     June 26, 1995