Exhibit 23.1

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


The Board of Directors
HCIA Inc.:

We consent to  incorporation  by reference in the  registration  statements (No.
33-98328 and No. 33-98330) on Form S-8 of HCIA Inc. of our reports dated January
23,  1997  relating  to  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  HCIA  Inc.  and
subsidiaries  as of  December  31,  1995 and 1996 and the  related  consolidated
statements of  operations,  changes in  stockholders'  equity and cash flows for
each of the years in the  three-year  period  ended  December  31,  1996 and the
related consolidated financial statement schedule,  which reports appear, or are
incorporated  by reference,  in the December 31, 1996 annual report on Form 10-K
of HCIA Inc.

                                       KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP

Baltimore, Maryland
March 28, 1997