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                                                                     EXHIBIT 23


              Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants



We have issued our reports dated July 7, 1997, accompanying the consolidated
financial statements and schedule incorporated by reference or included in the
Annual Report of Software Spectrum, Inc. on Form 10-K for the year ended April
30, 1997. We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of said report in
the Registration Statements of Software Spectrum, Inc. on Forms S-8 (Software
Spectrum, Inc. 1993 Long Term Incentive Plan, Software Spectrum, Inc. Employee
Stock Purchase Plan and Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan, filed on July
19, 1995, and Software Spectrum, Inc. Non-Employee Directors' Retainer Stock
Plan, filed on September 28, 1995).



GRANT THORNTON LLP

Dallas, Texas
July 29, 1997