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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our reports on the December 31, 1999 consolidated financial
statements of Prize Energy Corp., dated February 11, 2000, and on the statements
of revenues and direct operating expenses for the producing properties acquired
by Prize Energy Corp. from Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. for the years
ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, dated September 3, 1999, in the Registration
Statement (Form S-1) and related Prospectus of Prize Energy Corp. dated August
23, 2000.

                                            Ernst & Young LLP

Fort Worth, Texas
August 23, 2000