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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
   
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related Prospectus
of Vencor, Inc. for the registration of its common stock to be issued pursuant
to the merger with The Hillhaven Corporation and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated November 10, 1994 except for Note 9 as to
which the date is February 27, 1995, with respect to the financial statements of
Nationwide Care, Inc. for the year ended September 30, 1994 included in the
Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related prospectus of The Hillhaven
Corporation for the registration of its common stock issued pursuant to the
merger with Nationwide Care, Inc. for the year ended September 30, 1994, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
    
 
                                          Ernst & Young LLP
 
Indianapolis, Indiana
   
July 31, 1995