EXHIBIT 23


                 CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 33-43981, Form S-8 No. 33-63456, Form S-8 No. 33-82108 and Form S-8 No.
33-12611) pertaining to the Stock Option Plans of U.S. Bioscience, Inc., the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 33-77376) and related prospectus of U.S.
Bioscience, Inc. for the registration of 1,096,634 shares of its common stock
issuable upon exercise of certain warrants issued pursuant to the January 19,
1995 settlement of certain class-action suits and derivative litigations brought
against U.S. Bioscience, Inc. and the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No.
33-00077) and related prospectus of U.S. Bioscience, Inc. for the registration
of 8,142,578 shares of its common stock issuable in connection with the December
1995 private placement, of our report dated February 13, 1997 with respect to
the consolidated financial statements of U.S. Bioscience, Inc. included in this
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996.



                                                  /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 21, 1997