EXHIBIT 23.1
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
    We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected
Financial Data" and "Experts" and to the use of our report dated February 10,
1997, in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Inhale
Therapeutic Systems for the registration of 1,725,000 shares of its common
stock.
 
    We also consent to the incorporation by reference therein of our report
dated February 10, 1997 with respect to the financial statements of Inhale
Therapeutic Systems included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 1996, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Palo Alto, California
October 3, 1997