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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
   
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 33-64111) and
related Prospectus of Beverly Enterprises, Inc. for the registration of
$150,000,000 of its Senior Notes and to the incorporation by reference therein
of our report dated February 3, 1995, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of Beverly Enterprises, Inc. included in its Annual
Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 1994, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
    
 
                                            ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
   
January 29, 1996
    
Little Rock, Arkansas