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                                                                      EXHIBIT 23
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 Nos. 33-31162, 33-35625, 33-64034, 33-64036, and 33-60763) pertaining
to the 1983 Stock Option Plan, the 1990 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the 1993
Stock Option Plan, the 1993 Outside Director Stock Option Plan and the 1995
Employee Stock Purchase Plan of BGS Systems, Inc. of our report dated March 14,
1996, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of BGS
Systems, Inc. included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
January 31, 1996.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
April 19, 1996