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                                   EXHIBIT 23

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-8 (No. 2-74896, No. 33-38737 and No. 33-73044) and in the
Prospectus constituting part of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No.
33-71030) and in the Prospectus constituting part of the Registration Statement
on Form S-4 (No. 33-65229) of Bell Industries, Inc. of our report dated March 3,
1999 appearing on page 11 of this Form 10-K.






PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

Los Angeles, California
March 29, 1999