EXHIBIT 23



                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                                        

    We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
on Form S-8 (File No. 33-59256) of American Business Information, Inc. of our
report dated January 23, 1996, on our audits of the consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedule of American Business Information,
Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1996, which report is included in this Annual Report
on Form 10-K.


                                               /s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
                                               COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

Omaha, Nebraska
March 23, 1996