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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(l)

















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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT




We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos.
33-54064, 33-54066, 33-54096, 33-57746, 33-57748, 33-86654 and 33-20801 of Layne
Christensen Company on Form S-8 of our report dated March 31, 1998, appearing in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Layne Christensen Company for the year ended
January 31, 1998.

Our audits of the financial statements referred to in our aforementioned report
also included the financial statement schedule of Layne Christensen Company 
listed in Item 14(a). This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on
our audits. In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered
in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly
in all material respects the information set forth therein.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP


Kansas City, Missouri
April 28, 1998






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