Exhibit 23.1


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 
33-25169, 33-41451, 33-49162, 333-26142 and 333-41583 on Form S-8, and Nos.
33-79158 and 333-03765 on Form S-3 of Summit Technology, Inc. (the "Company") of
our report dated March 17, 1999 (which expresses an unqualified opinion and
includes an explanatory paragraph relating to a change in accounting principle
described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements), appearing in this
Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company dated March 23, 1999.


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
March 23, 1999