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EXHIBIT 23.1--CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement on Form S-4 and related Prospectus of First Financial
Bancorp. for the registration of 1,222,650 shares of its common stock and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January 15, 1999, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of First Financial Bancorp.
incorporated by reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.




                                                     ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Cincinnati, Ohio
April 2, 1999