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                                                                    EXHIBIT (23)


                         Consent of Independent Auditors


         We consent to the incorporation by reference in Post-Effective
Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Form S-8, No. 2-64813),
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-8, No.
33-10937), Registration Statement (Form S-8, No. 33-35514), Registration
Statement (Form S-8, No. 33-73026), Registration Statement (Form S-8, No.
333-77735), Registration Statement (Form S-8, No. 333-91067), of Trinity
Industries, Inc. and in the related Prospectuses of our report dated May 16,
2000 with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of
Trinity Industries, Inc. included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year
ended March 31, 2000.



                                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Dallas, Texas
June 2, 2000