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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.4
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus
of The Williams Companies, Inc. for the registration of its shares of common
stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February
10, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of
The Williams Companies, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 1996, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Tulsa, Oklahoma
January 26, 1998