Exhibit 23

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements pertaining to the Incentive Stock Option Plan (Form S-8, No.
33-22941) and the Savings and Stock Investment Plan (Form S-8, No. 33- 32522) of
United Bankshares, Inc., of our report dated February 27, 1998, (except Note O,
as to which the date is March 27, 1998, and Note B, as to which the date is July
29, 1998) with respect to the consolidated financial statements of United
Bankshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, included in this
Current Report on Form 8-K.

                                                /s/ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                                ____________________


Charleston, West Virginia
July 29, 1998

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