Exhibit 23
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
  We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos.
333-72927, 333-56331 and 333-51959 of American Tower Corporation and
subsidiaries on Form S-8 of our report dated March 4, 1999, appearing in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of American Tower Corporation for the year ended
December 31, 1998.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
March 19, 1999