1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the
incorporation by reference of our report dated August 9, 1996 with respect to
the financial statements of Patlex Corporation included in DBT Online, Inc.'s
filing on Form 8-K/A-1 dated November 4, 1996, and our report dated August 9,
1995 with respect to the financial statements of Patlex Corporation included in
DBT Online, Inc.'s filing on Form S-4, both filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) of DBT Online,
Inc. for the registration of 1,886,000 shares of its common stock.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
April 4, 1997