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                                                                    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, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, in this Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement No.
333-24613 of DBT Online, Inc. on Form S-3.
    
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
   
May 28, 1997