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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

        We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 pertaining to the 1997 Equity Incentive Plan of MAXIMUS,
Inc. of our report dated November 13, 1998 with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of MAXIMUS, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K)
for the year ended September 30, 1998, and our report dated November 13, 1998
except  for the fifth paragraph of Note 3, as to which the date is March 22,
1999, with respect to the  supplemental consolidated financial statements of
MAXIMUS, Inc. included in its  Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 30, 1999,
filed with the Securities  and Exchange Commission.


                                            /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                            


Washington, D.C.
March 26, 1999


                                      S-8