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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

       We have issued our report dated February 21, 1996 accompanying the
consolidated financial statements of Southern Mineral Corporation and
Subsidiaries appearing in its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB/A for the year ended
December 31, 1996, which is incorporated by reference in Amendment No. 1 to this
Registration Statement and Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. We consent to the
incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement and Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus of the aforementioned report, and to the use of our name as
it appears under the caption "Experts".


                                            /s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Houston, Texas
December 22, 1997