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                                                                    Exhibit 23.3


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


    We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our report dated January 31, 1997, with respect to the financial
statements of Fieldcrest Cannon, Inc. included in Amendment No. 2 to the
Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related Prospectus of Pillowtex
Corporation for the registration of 5,600,000 shares of its common stock.



                                            /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Greensboro, North Carolina
   
November 26, 1997