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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. 2 to the Registration
Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-71031) and related Prospectus of Nichols TXEN
Corporation for the registration of 2,625,000 shares of its common stock.


                                        /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Birmingham, Alabama
June 18, 1999