1
                                                                    Exhibit 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                       ----------------------------------

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting part
of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our reports dated January 21,
2000, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements, selected
consolidated financial data and the financial statement schedule of The Goldman
Sachs Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company"), which reports were included
or incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended November 26, 1999. We also consent to the references to our
firm under the caption "Experts".

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York
May 2, 2000.