Exhibit 23.3

                        Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related Prospectus of McLeodUSA
Incorporated for the registration of $500,000,000 of its 8 1/8% Senior Notes 
due February 15, 2009 and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
report dated February 26, 1999, with respect to the consolidated 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 Registration Statement on Form S-4 
(No. 333-71811) of McLeodUSA Incorporated filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

                                               /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 21, 1999