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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No.
333-19987 of Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (the "Company") on Form S-3 of our
report dated January 22, 1998, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of
the Company for the year ended December 31, 1997.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
Houston, Texas
March 20, 1998