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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No.     ) and related Prospectus of Beverly 
Enterprises, Inc. for the registration of $30,000,000 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
 
February 8, 1996
Little Rock, Arkansas