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                                                                      EXHIBIT 23
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 Nos. 33-14988, 33-59948 and 33-86626) pertaining to the Incentive
Stock Option Plan, Non-employee Directors' Stock Option Plan and the Employee
Retirement Plan of Builders Transport, Incorporated and subsidiaries and in the
related Prospectuses of our report dated March 28, 1997, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedule of Builders Transport,
Incorporated and subsidiaries included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 1996.
 
                                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
March 28, 1997