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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the 
use of our report dated August 1, 1997, with respect to the financial 
statements of TXEN, Inc. included in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration 
Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-71031) and related Prospectus of Nichols TXEN 
Corporation for the registration of 2,175,000 shares of its common stock.


                                        /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Birmingham, Alabama
April 9, 1999