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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
    
 
   
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
    
 
   
     We consent to the references to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 33-60397) and
related Prospectus of The Williams Companies, Inc. and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated February 10, 1995, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedules of The Williams Companies, Inc.
included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1994,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
    
 
   
                                          /s/  ERNST & YOUNG LLP
    
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                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
    
 
   
Tulsa, Oklahoma
    
   
July 21, 1995