EXHIBIT 23.2


               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No.  33-79022)  pertaining  to the 1993  Incentive and  Non-Qualified  Stock
Option Plan of Human  Genome  Sciences,  Inc. of our report  dated  February 23,
1998, with respect to the financial  statements of Human Genome  Sciences,  Inc.
included in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Vienna, Virginia
March 27, 1998