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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
   
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Experts" and
"Selected Historical Financial Information" in Amendment No. 3 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 January 30, 1995 with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Vencor, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K/A --
Amendment No. 1) for the year ended December 31, 1994, filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
    
 
                                          Ernst & Young LLP
 
Louisville, Kentucky
   
August 10, 1995