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                         INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC
                             ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT


We have issued our report dated January 21, 1998, accompanying the
consolidated financial statements of Gast Manufacturing Corporation and
Subsidiaries as of and for the year ending December 28, 1997 appearing in the
Form 8-K/A of IDEX Corporation filed on February 6, 1998, which is
incorporated by reference in Registration Statement (No. 333-41627) on Form S-3
of IDEX Corporation and in Registration Statements (No. 33-47678, No. 33-56586
and No. 333-18643) of IDEX Corporation on Form S-8. We consent to the
incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements of the aforementioned
report.


                                                    GRANT THORNTON LLP


Chicago, Illinois
February 6, 1998