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
February 26, 1999, with respect to the financial statements of Ovation
Communications, Inc. as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for the period from
March 27, 1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997 and the year ended December 31,
1998, included in the Proxy Statement of Ovation Communications, Inc. that is
made a part of Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 333-
71811) and related Prospectus of McLeodUSA Incorporated for the registration of
5,750,000 shares of its Common Stock.
 
                                         /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 24, 1999