EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                     CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements of Millennium Chemicals Inc. on Form S-8 (No. 333-13143) pertaining
to the Millennium Chemicals Inc. Retirement Savings and Investment Plan, (No.
333-13147) pertaining to the Quantum Chemical Retirement Savings and Investment
Plan for Hourly Represented Employees, (No. 333-13717) pertaining to the
Millennium Chemicals Inc. Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, and (No. 333-53139)
pertaining to the Salary and Bonus Deferral Plan, of our report on the
Millennium Chemicals Inc. financial statements dated January 21, 1999, which
appears on page 29 of the Annual Report to Shareholders which is incorporated in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the incorporation by
reference to our report on Supplemental Financial Information and the Financial
Statement Schedule, which appears on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form
10-K.
 
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
 
Florham Park, New Jersey
March 29, 1999