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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


   
We consent to the inclusion in this Amendment No. 1 to the registration 
statement on Form S-1 of our report dated September 11, 1997, on our audit of
the balance sheet of Mewbourne Development Corporation, and our report dated
January 30, 1998, on our audit of the balance sheet of Mewbourne Energy Partners
98-A, L.P. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Experts."
    




Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
Dallas, Texas
   
May 8, 1998