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                                   EXHIBIT 23


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of
Laidlaw Environmental Services, Inc. on Form S-8 (July 9, 1997) of our report,
which includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the revised statement of
cash flows for the years ended August 31, 1996 and 1995, dated October 7, 1997
on our audits of the consolidated financial statements and financial statement
schedule of Laidlaw Environmental Services, Inc. as of August 31, 1997 and 1996,
and for each of the three years in the period ended August 31, 1997, which
report is included (or incorporated by reference) in this Annual Report on Form
10-K


                                            COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

Charlotte, North Carolina
October 27, 1997






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