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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.7
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement on Form S-4 and related Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus
of EVI, Inc. and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
January 15, 1998, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Trico
Industries, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 included in EVI
Inc.'s Amendment No. 1 to Form 8-K dated December 2, 1997 on Form 8-K/A filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
                                            ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
San Antonio, Texas
April 6, 1998