Exhibit 23
                                          
                 CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements 
(Form S-3 Nos. 33-31932, 33-40222, 333-15933, 333-24187, and 333-28415) and 
in the related Prospectuses, and in the Registration Statements (Form S-8 
Nos. 33-31439, 33-33887, 33-34112, 33-34834, 33-44519, 33-58929, 333-04021, 
333-17889, 333-45935, and 333-45939) pertaining to the 1987 Stock Option Plan 
of MagneTek, Inc., the MagneTek, Inc. FlexCare Plus Retirement Savings Plan, 
the 1989 Incentive Stock Compensation Plan of MagneTek, Inc., the MagneTek 
Unionized Employee Savings Plan, the Amended and Restated 1989 Incentive 
Stock Compensation Plan of MagneTek, Inc., the Second Amended and Restated 
1989 Incentive Stock Compensation Plan of MagneTek, Inc., the MagneTek, Inc. 
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, the MagneTek, Inc. Deferral 
Investment Plan, the MagneTek, Inc. 1997 Non-Employee Director Stock Option 
Plan, and the MagneTek, Inc. Director Compensation and Deferral Investment 
Plan, of our reports dated August 18, 1998, with respect to the consolidated 
financial statements and schedule of MagneTek, Inc. included or incorporated 
by reference in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended June 30, 
1998.

                                                   ERNST & YOUNG LLP

St. Louis, Missouri
September 25, 1998