EXHIBIT 23.1

                         Consent of Independent Auditors

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following
Registration Statements of Newpark Resources, Inc. of our report dated March 1,
2004, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Newpark
Resources, Inc. included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2003:

    -    Form S-8 No. 33-22291 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1988 Incentive Stock
         Option Plan);

    -    Form S-8 No. 33-54060 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. Amended and Restated
         1988 Incentive Stock Option Plan);

    -    Form S-8 No. 33-62643 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. Amended and Restated
         1988 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended);

    -    Form S-8 No. 33-83680 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1993 Non-Employee
         Directors' Stock Option Plan and the Newpark Resources, Inc. Amended
         and Restated 1988 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended);

    -    Form S-8 No. 333-07225 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1995 Incentive
         Stock Option Plan and the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1993 Non-Employee
         Directors' Stock Option Plan, as amended);

    -    Form S-8 No. 333-33624 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock
         Purchase Plan);

    -    Form S-8 No. 333-39948 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1995 Incentive
         Stock Option Plan, as amended);

    -    Form S-3 No. 333-39978 (shares of common stock issuable upon conversion
         of and as dividends on Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and upon
         exercise of a warrant); and

    -    Form S-3 No. 333-53824 (shares of common stock issuable upon conversion
         of and as dividends on Series C Convertible Preferred Stock).

                                                          Ernst & Young LLP

New Orleans, Louisiana
March 9, 2003