Exhibit (23)--CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No.  33-13489)  pertaining to the 1984  Incentive  Stock Option Plan, in the
Registration   Statement  (Form  S-8  No.  33-23642)   pertaining  to  the  1988
Non-Qualified  Stock Option Plan, in the  Registration  Statement  (Form S-8 No.
33-34908)  pertaining  to the  1989  Stock  Option  Plan,  in  the  Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No.  33-40798)  pertaining to the 1990 Stock Option Plan, in
the Registration  Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-50440) pertaining to the 1991 Stock
Option Plan, in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-64308) pertaining to
the  1992  Stock  Option  Plan,  in the  Registration  Statement  (Form  S-8 No.
33-64316)  pertaining  to  the  1993  Consultants'  Stock  Option  Plan,  in the
Registration  Statement  (Form S-8 No.  33-55303)  pertaining  to the 1993 Stock
Option Plan, in the Registration  Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-02221)  pertaining
to the 1995  Stock  Option  Plan in the  Registration  Statement  (Form  S-8 No.
33-60231)  pertaining to the Surgical Health  Corporation and Heritage  Surgical
Corporation  Stock Option Plans,  in the  Registration  Statement  (Form S-8 No.
33-64615) pertaining to the Sutter Surgery Centers,  Inc. Stock Option Plans, in
the Registration  Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-00565)  pertaining to the Surgical
Care Affiliates Stock Option Plans, in the Registration  Statement (Form S-8 No.
333-12111)  pertaining to the Professional  Sports Care  Management,  Inc. Stock
Option  Plans  and  in the  Registration  Statement  (Form  S-8  No.  333-18035)
pertaining to the ReadiCare Stock Option Plans of our report, dated February 24,
1997,  except for the first  paragraph of Note 15, as to which the date is March
12,  1997,  with  respect to the consolidated financial statements and financial
statement schedule of HEALTHSOUTH  Corporation and Subsidiaries included in this
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996.  





                                     ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Birmingham, Alabama
March 21, 1997