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.  333-52237)  and related  Prospectus  of
HEALTHSOUTH  Corporation for the registration of 15,501,707 shares of its common
stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February
25,  1998,  except  for Note 14, as to which the date is March  20,  1998,  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, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                        ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Birmingham, Alabama
June 1, 1998