EXHIBIT 23(b)


                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



The Board of Directors
Worthington Industries, Inc.



We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement (Form S-8
No. 33-57981) pertaining to the Worthington Industries, Inc. Deferred Profit
Sharing Plan; (Form S-3 No. 33-46470 and Form S-3 No. 333-48627) pertaining to
the Worthington Industries, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan;
(Form S-8 No. 33-38486) pertaining to the Worthington Industries, Inc. 1990
Stock Option Plan; (Form S-8 No. 333-18099) pertaining to the Worthington Steel
Company (Malvern) Union Retirement Savings Plan; (Form S-8 No. 333-42849)
pertaining to the Worthington Industries, Inc. 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan;
and (Form S-8 No. 333-52628) pertaining to the Worthington Industries, Inc. 2000
Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors of Worthington Industries, Inc. of
our report dated June 18, 2002, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets
of Worthington Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of May 31, 2002, and the
related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders' equity, and cash
flows for the year then ended, and the related financial statement schedule,
which report appears in the May 31, 2002, Annual Report on Form 10-K of
Worthington Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries.






/s/ KPMG LLP



Columbus, Ohio

August 20, 2002