Exhibit 23.1

                        Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To Covalent Group, Inc.:

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this S-3 Registration Statement of our report dated February 18,
2000 included in Covalent Group, Inc.'s Form 10-KSB for the year ended December
31, 1999 and to all references to our Firm included in this Registration
Statement.


                              ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

                              /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP



Philadelphia, Pa.,
August 11, 2000