Exhibit 23



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS




The Board of Directors
La Quinta Inns, Inc.:

We consent to  incorporation  by reference in the  registration  statements (No.
33-26470,  No. 2-97266, No. 2-67606, No. 33-55102,  No. 33-58866,  No. 333-32637
and No. 333-33789) of La Quinta Inns, Inc. of our report dated January 23, 1998,
except for note 17, which is as of February  12, 1998,  relating to the combined
balance sheets of La Quinta Inns, Inc. as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
related combined statements of operations,  shareholders'  equity and cash flows
for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997.



                                          KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP

San Antonio, Texas
February 12, 1998