Exhibit 23.4


               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected
Historical Financial Data", "Selected Financial Data" and "Experts" in
Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related
Prospectus of Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the inclusion therein of our
report dated March 21, 2000, with respect to the financial statements of
Spiros Development Corporation II, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1999.

                                                           /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


July 26, 2000
San Diego, California