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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement, as
amended, (Forms S-8, No. 2-90646; No. 33-21509; No. 33-48980) pertaining to the
1984 Stock Option and Employment Agreement of American Shared Hospital Services;
the Registration Statement (Form S-8, No. 33-45999) pertaining to the American
Shared Hospital Services 1991 Employee Stock Bonus Plan; the Registration
Statement (Form S-8, No. 333-08009) pertaining to the 1995 Stock Option Plan of
American Shared Hospital Services; the Registration Statement, as amended, (Form
S-3, No. 333-12879) pertaining to the registration of 2,679,047 of Common Shares
of American Shared Hospital Services; and the Registration Statement, as
amended, (Form S-3, No. 33-63721) pertaining to the registration of 1,290,853 or
Common Shares of American Shared Hospital Services and 441,147 Warrants to
purchase Common Shares of American Shared Hospital Services and in the related
Prospectuses of our report dated February 27, 1998, except for Note 14, as to
which the date is March 12, 1998, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of American Shared Hospital Services included in this
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1997.


March 30, 1998
Walnut Creek, California