EXHIBIT 23.1
                                       

                        Consent of Independent Auditors


The Board of Directors
Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.:


We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements 
(No.33-41853, No. 33-31840, No. 2-79617, No. 2-63245, No. 33-48579, No. 
33-48462, No. 2-72362, No. 33-72559 and No. 33-72560) on Form S-8 and (No. 
2-93525) on Form S-3 of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. of our report dated 
February 7, 1998, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Safeguard 
Scientifics, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, the 
related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and shareholders' 
equity and related schedules for each of the years in the three-year period 
ended December 31, 1997, which reports are included or incorporated by 
reference in the December 31, 1997 annual report on Form 10-K of Safeguard 
Scientifics, Inc.


/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 27, 1998