Exhibit 23.1


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

To The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
       Western Staff Services, Inc.


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration 
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-10429) of Western Staff Services, Inc. of our 
report dated December 31, 1996, appearing on page F-1 of this Annual 
Report on Form 10-K.



PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP

San Francisco, California
January 31, 1997