EXHIBIT 23.1


                        INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
                        -----------------------------



The Board of Directors
Pillowtex Corporation:


We consent to the inclusion and incorporation by reference in the 
registration statement Nos. 33-65408, 33-84624, 33-81478 and 333-39191 on 
Form S-8 of Pillowtex Corporation and subsidiaries of our report dated 
February 5, 1998, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Pillowtex 
Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 28, 1996 and January 3, 1998, and 
the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders' equity, and 
cash flows and related schedule for each of the years in the three-year 
period ended January 3, 1998, which reports are included and incorporated by 
reference in the January 3, 1998 annual report on Form 10-K of Pillowtex 
Corporation and subsidiaries.

                                       /s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP

                                       KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Dallas, Texas
April 3, 1998