1



                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
The Maxim Group, Inc.

         We consent to the use of our reports incorporated herein by reference
and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.


                                    /s/  KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
March 3, 1998