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. 2 to S-3 Registration Statement of our report
dated August 5, 1998 included in Covalent Group, Inc.'s Form 10-KSB/A Amendment
No. 2 for the year ended December 31, 1997 and to all references to our Firm
included in this Amendment No. 2 to S-3 Registration Statement.
          

                                      ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

                                      /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP


        
Philadelphia, Pa.,
August 13, 1998