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-4 No. 333- ) and the  related  Prospectus-Proxy
Statement of HEALTHSOUTH  Corporation and Horizon/CMS Healthcare Corporation 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/A Amendment No.
2) for the year ended  December  31, 1996 and our report  dated  August 20, 1997
with respect to the consolidated financial statements of HEALTHSOUTH Corporation
included in its Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 25, 1997,  filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.




                                                  ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Birmingham, Alabama
September 18, 1997