EXHIBIT 23.3
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
The Board of Directors
First Mississippi Corporation:
 
  We consent to the use of our report included herein on the consolidated
balance sheets of ChemFirst Inc. as of June 30, 1996 and 1995 and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for
each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 1996, and to the
reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the propectus.
 
                                          KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Jackson, Mississippi
November 7, 1996