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                                  EXHIBIT 23.2

                          CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-________) pertaining to the Beverly Enterprises,
Inc. Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan of our report dated 
February 7, 1997, except for Note 2, paragraph 3, as to which the date is March
13, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of
Beverly Enterprises, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 1996, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and to the incorporation by reference of our report dated April 18, 1997, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Pharmacy
Corporation of America and to the incorporation by reference of our report
dated June 2, 1997, with respect to the balance sheet of New Beverly Holdings,
Inc.

                                        ERNST & YOUNG LLP


December 1, 1997
Little Rock, Arkansas