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                                                                      EXHIBIT 23





                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS




As independent accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference
in this Form 10-K of our report dated February 2, 1996 included in Allied
Capital Lending Corporation's Annual Report to stockholders. It should be noted
that we have not audited any financial statements of the company subsequent to
December 31, 1995 or performed any audit procedures subsequent to the date of
our report.


                                         MATTHEWS, CARTER AND BOYCE


McLean, Virginia
March 22, 1996