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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this Registration Statement of our reports, dated February 10,
1997, included in Hartford Life, Inc.'s Amendment No. 1 to Form 10/A for the
year ended December 31, 1996 and to all references to our firm included in or
made a part of this Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3
(File No. 333-21865) for Hartford Life, Inc.
    
 
                                          /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Hartford, Connecticut
   
June 9, 1997