Exhibit 23.4



                        Consent of Independent Auditors



We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected Financial
and Operating Data of Ovation" and "Experts" and to the use of our report dated
December 11, 1998, with respect to the financial statements of Ovation
Communications, Inc. as of December 31, 1997 and for the period from March 27,
1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997, included in the Proxy Statement of 
Ovation Communications, Inc. that is made a part of Amendment No. 1 to the 
Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related Prospectus of McLeodUSA
Incorporated. 


                                         /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 18, 1999