EXHIBIT 23.1



                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     We  consent  to  the  reference  to  our  firm under the captions "Selected
Consolidated  Financial  Data" and "Experts" in the Registration Statement (Form
S-3)  and the related Prospectus of Inter-Tel, Incorporated for the registration
of  3,530,500  shares  of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference
therein  of  our report dated February 28, 1997 with respect to the consolidated
financial  statements  and  schedule  of Inter-Tel, Incorporated included in its
Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                                           /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


October 30, 1997
Phoenix, Arizona