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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-8) of National-Oilwell, Inc. for the
registration of 500,000 shares of its common stock pertaining to the
National-Oilwell Retirement and Thrift Plan, and to the incorporation by
reference to our report dated October 31, 1997, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of National-Oilwell, Inc. for the year ended
December 31, 1996 included in its Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 7,
1997 filed with the Security and Exchange Commission.


                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Houston, Texas
February 13, 1998