EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
    We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated
March 25, 1998 appearing on page F-1 of Acacia Research Corporation's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. We also consent to the
reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.
 
/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
 
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Price Waterhouse LLP
 
Los Angeles, California
June 26, 1998