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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
   
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected
Consolidated Financial Data" and "Experts" and to the use of our report dated
October 25, 1996 in Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No.
333-26747) and related Prospectus of Sawtek Inc. for the registration of
3,000,000 shares of its common stock.
    
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Orlando, Florida
   
June 27, 1997