EXHIBIT (23)-1

                          CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                              INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We  consent to the  reference  to our firm under the  caption  "Experts"  in the
Registration  Statement  (Form  S-3,  No.  333-  )  and  related  Prospectus  of
HEALTHSOUTH  Corporation for the  registration of shares of its common stock and
to the incorporation by reference therein 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 schedule of
HEALTHSOUTH  Corporation  included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year
ended December 31, 1996, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Birmingham, Alabama
April 25, 1997