Exhibit 23.3

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement 
of Magellan Health Services, Inc. on Form S-3 of our report dated November 
14, 1997, appearing in the Current Report on Form 8-K/A of Magellan Health 
Services, Inc., filed on April 3, 1998. Such report expresses an 
unqualified opinion on the consolidated balance sheets of Merit Behavioral 
Care Corporation (the "Company") as of September 30, 1997 and 1996, and the 
related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash 
flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 1997 and 
includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the fact that effective 
October 1, 1995, the Company changed its method of accounting for deferred 
contract start-up costs related to new contracts or expansion of existing 
contracts.

We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the 
Prospectus, which is part of this registration statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York
April 17, 1998