O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
       Exhibit 23.1 - Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors



We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
of O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. and Subsidiaries of our report dated February 14,
1997, included in the 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders of O'Reilly
Automotive, Inc.

Our Audits also included the financial statement schedule of O'Reilly
Automotive, Inc. and Subsidiaries listed in item 14(a). This schedule is the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, the financial statement schedule
referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements
taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set
forth therein.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8 No. 33-61632) pertaining to the O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. 1993 Stock
Option Plan, Director Stock Option Plan, and Stock Purchase Plan and in the
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-73892) pertaining to the O'Reilly
Automotive, Inc. Profit Sharing and Savings Plan of our report dated February
14, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements incorporated
herein by reference, and our report included in the preceding paragraph with
respect to the financial statement schedule included in this Annual Report (Form
10-K) of O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.



                                       /s/ Ernst & Young LLP 
                                       ------------------------------   
                                       Ernst & Young LLP


Kansas City, Missouri
March 27, 1997

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