(I) UNITY FIRST ACQUISITION CORP.
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                             CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT
                               PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
    As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
reports (and to all references to our Firm) included in or made a part of this
Form S-4.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
   
New York, New York
September 3, 1998