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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Company's registration
statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-41494) of our report dated April 30, 1997 on
our audits of the financial statements and financial statement schedule as of
January 31, 1997 and 1996 and July 31, 1995 and for the year ended January 31,
1997, the six month period ended January 31, 1996 and each of the two years in
the period ended July 31, 1995, which report is included in this annual report
on Form 10-K.
 
                                          Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 
Houston, Texas
May 1, 1997