1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
                        
                                                          
                                                                   
{DELOITTE & TOUCHE LOGO}         Suite 501                                Telephone: (504)928-0108
                                 8550 United Plaza Boulevard              Facsimile: (504)928-0449
                                 Baton Rouge, Louisiana  70809-2261                  



INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of
United Companies Financial Corporation on Form S-3 of our report dated February
18, 1994, appearing in and incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of United Companies Finacial Corporation for the year ended December
31, 1993 and to reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus,
which is part of this Registration Statement.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE
Deloitte & Touche

Baton Rouge, Louisana
March 14,1994









Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu
International