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                                  EXHIBIT 23(a)
                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and
related Prospectus of Worthington Industries, Inc. for the registration of
1,000,000 shares of its Common Stock pertaining to the Worthington Industries,
Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated June 18, 1998, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Worthington Industries, Inc. incorporated
by reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended May 31, 1998
and our report dated August 27, 1998 with respect to the related financial
statement schedule included therein, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


                                                   /s/Ernst & Young



Columbus, Ohio
March 22, 1999

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