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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.6
                                        
                                    CONSENT
                                       OF
                         HOULIHAN LOKEY HOWARD & ZUKIN CAPITAL


         We hereby consent to (i) the inclusion of our opinion letter dated
August 17, 1998 to the Board of Directors of The Bibb Company ("Bibb") as Annex
C to Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating to the proposed merger
transaction involving Dan River Inc. and Bibb and (ii) references made to our
firm and such opinion in such Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the
captions "SUMMARY -- THE MERGER" and "THE MERGER -- Reasons for the Merger" and
"-- Opinion of Bibb's Financial Advisor". In giving such consent, we do not
admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required
under, and we do not admit and we disclaim that we are "experts" for purposes
of, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.



                                        By: /s/   David R. Hilty
                                           --------------------------------
                                                  David R. Hilty
                                                  Vice President

New York, New York
August 18, 1998