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  related  Prospectus-Proxy
Statement of HEALTHSOUTH  Corporation and National Surgery Centers,  Inc. 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.



Birmingham, Alabama
June 16, 1998