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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
   
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT
    
 
   
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement (No. 333-63443) of Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. on
Form S-3 of our report dated January 22, 1998, appearing in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. for the year ended December 31,
1997, and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus,
which is part of this Registration Statement.
    
 
/s/  DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Houston, Texas
   
September 29, 1998