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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No.
333-19987 as amended by Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 dated January 24, 1997 of
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (the "Company") on Form S-3 of our report dated
February 4, 1997, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company
for the year ended December 31, 1996.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE
 
Houston, Texas
March 3, 1997