1

                      INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Conning Corporation:

We consent to the use of our reports incorporated herein by reference,
which reports appear in the Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended
(No. 333-35993), of Conning Corporation and subsidiaries.

                                       /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


St. Louis, Missouri
December 19, 1997