Exhibit 23.1


                          Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
                  Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


We have issued our reports  dated May 23, 2005,  accompanying  the  consolidated
financial  statements  and  management's  assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of
internal  control  over  financial  reporting  included in the Annual  Report to
Shareholders of Capital Southwest  Corporation for the year ended March 31, 2005
and  incorporated by reference in the March 31, 2005 annual report on Form 10-K.
We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by  reference  of said  reports in the
Registration  Statement of Capital  Southwest  Corporation on Form S-8 (File No.
33-43881).

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP


May 23, 2005
Dallas, Texas