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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement on
Form S-3 (File No. 333-0000) of our reports dated January 31, 1997, on our
audits of the financial statements and financial statement schedule of Sofamor
Danek Group, Inc., which are included in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K. We also consent to the references to our firm under the captions "Experts"
and "Selected Consolidated Financial Data."
 
                                      COOPERS & LYBRAND LLP.
 
Memphis, Tennessee
 
January 22, 1998