Exhibit 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 33-62657) pertaining to the Ceres Group, Inc. 401(k) plan (formerly
known as the Retirement Plan for the Employees of the Central Reserve Life
Insurance Company) of our report dated March 11, 2002, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedules of Ceres Group, Inc. included in
this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2001.




Cleveland, Ohio
March 21, 2002