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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, 33-64034, 33-64036, and 33-60763) pertaining to the
1983 Stock Option 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 20, 1997, 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, 1997.
 
                                          /S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
April 22, 1997