EXHIBIT 16(a)(23)(a)

              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


The Shareholder and Board of Directors
Aetna Insurance Company of America:

We consent to the use of our reports included herein and to the reference to 
our firm under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus.

Our reports refer to a change in 1993 in the Company's methods of accounting 
for certain investments in debt and equity securities.


                                       /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                       ----------------------------
                                       KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Hartford, Connecticut
April 15, 1996