Exhibit 23.1

                        Consent of Independent Auditors

The Board of Directors
Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (No. 
33-41853, No. 33-48579, No. 33-48462, No. 2-72362, No. 33-72559 and No. 
33-72560) on Form S-8 of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. of our report dated 
February 8, 1999, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Safeguard 
Scientifics, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, the 
related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, shareholders' 
equity and comprehensive income for each of the years in the three-year 
period ended December 31, 1998 and related schedules, which reports are 
included or incorporated by reference in the December 31, 1998 annual report 
on Form 10-K of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 25, 1999