EXHIBIT 23.1

                         Consent of Independent Auditors

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following
Registration Statements of Newpark Resources, Inc. of our report dated February
27, 2003, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Newpark
Resources, Inc. included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2002:

     -    Form S-8 No. 33-22291 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1988 Incentive
          Stock Option Plan);

     -    Form S-8 No. 33-54060 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. Amended and
          Restated 1988 Incentive Stock Option Plan);

     -    Form S-8 No. 33-62643 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. Amended and
          Restated 1988 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended);

     -    Form S-8 No. 33-83680 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1993 Non-Employee
          Directors' Stock Option Plan and the Newpark Resources, Inc. Amended
          and Restated 1988 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended);

     -    Form S-8 No. 333-07225 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1995 Incentive
          Stock Option Plan and the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1993 Non-Employee
          Directors' Stock Option Plan, as amended);

     -    Form S-8 No. 333-33624 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1999 Employee
          Stock Purchase Plan);

     -    Form S-8 No. 333-39948 (the Newpark Resources, Inc. 1995 Incentive
          Stock Option Plan, as amended);

     -    Form S-3 No. 333-39978 (shares of common stock issuable upon
          conversion of and as dividends on Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
          and upon exercise of a warrant); and

     -    Form S-3 No. 333-53824 (shares of common stock issuable upon
          conversion of and as dividends on Series C Convertible Preferred
          Stock).

                                    Ernst & Young LLP

New Orleans, Louisiana
March 20, 2003