EXHIBIT 23(a)
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the 
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Worthington 
Industries, Inc. for the registration of 1,000,000 shares of its Common Stock 
pertaining to the Worthington Industries, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and 
Stock Purchase Plan and to the incorporation by reference therein of our 
report dated June 18, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial 
statements of Worthington Industries, Inc. incorporated by reference in its 
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended May 31, 1997 and our report 
dated August 26, 1997 with respect to the related financial statement 
schedule included therein, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                       /s/Ernst & Young LLP


                                       Ernst & Young LLP

Columbus, Ohio
March 24, 1998