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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 Numbers 333-49567, 33-42912, 33-66296, 33-82306, 33-82308 and
333-31801) pertaining to the 1998 Non-Officers' Equity Incentive Plan, the 1988
Employee Stock Option Plan, the 1988 Consulting Stock Option Plan, the 1991
Equity Incentive Plan, the 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the 1994
Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan of COR Therapeutics, Inc of our 
report dated January 19, 1999, with respect to the financial statements of 
COR Therapeutics, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the 
year ended December 31, 1998.

                                             ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Palo Alto, California
March 23, 1999