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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this registration statement, dated February 5, 1997, of our
report on the financial statements of MESA, Inc. as of December 31, 1995 and
1994, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, and
to all references to our Firm included in this registration statement.
    
 
                                            ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Dallas, Texas
   
February 5, 1997