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                                                                  Exhibit 23


                CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS              



As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in Registration Statement Nos. 33-61903, 333-05795 and 333-05797 of
our report dated June 5, 1996 included in American Science and Engineering,
Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 29, 1996 and to all
references to our Firm included in these registration statements.

Arthur Andersen, LLP
Boston, Massachusetts                                   
June 26, 1996