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                                 EXHIBIT 23(A)
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                                                                   Exhibit 23(a)

                              ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT





The Board of Directors
Matria Healthcare, Inc.


We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement on Form
S-8 of Matria Healthcare, Inc. of our reports dated February 21, 1995, relating
to the consolidated balance sheets of Tokos Medical Corporation (Delaware) and
subsidiaries (predecessor of Matria Healthcare, Inc.) as of December 31, 1994
and 1993, and the related consolidated statements of earnings (loss),
shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1994 and related schedule, which reports appear in
the December 31, 1994 annual report on Form 10-K of Tokos Medical Corporation
(Delaware).




                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Orange County, California
March 18, 1996