EXHIBIT 23.1

                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of 
PRI Automation, Inc. on Form S-8 of our report dated November 6, 1996 on our 
audit of the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of September 
30, 1995 and 1996 and for each of the three years in the period ended September 
30, 1996, which report is included in the Company's 1996 Annual Report on Form 
10-K.


                                                 COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

Boston, Massachusetts
April 15, 1997