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 Amendment No. 1 to Form 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 Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 Registration Statement.


                              ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

                              /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP



Philadelphia, Pa.,
September 8, 2000