Exhibit 23


                CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 No. 33-43981, Form S-8 No. 33-63456, Form S-8 No. 33-82108, Form S-8
No. 33-12611 and Form S-8 No. 333-26735) pertaining to the Stock Option Plans of
U.S. Bioscience, Inc., the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 33-77376) and
related prospectus of U.S. Bioscience, Inc. for the registration of 1,096,634
shares of its common stock issuable upon exercise of certain warrants issued
pursuant to the January 19, 1995 settlement of certain class-action suits and
derivative litigations brought against U.S. Bioscience, Inc. and the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 33-00077) and related prospectus of U.S.
Bioscience, Inc. for the registration of 8,142,578 shares of its common stock
issuable in connection with the December 1995 private placement, of our report
dated February 12, 1998 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
U.S. Bioscience, Inc. included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year
ended December 31, 1997.

                                    /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 20, 1998