EXHIBIT 23.1

            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form
10-K) of Friedman Industries, Incorporated of our report dated May 21, 2004,
included in the 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders of Friedman Industries,
Incorporated.

     Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of Friedman
Industries, Incorporated listed in the response to Item 15(a). This schedule is
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, the financial statement schedule
referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements
taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set
forth therein.

     We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-37887) pertaining to the 1996 Stock Option Plan, the
1995 Non-Employee Director Plan, as amended, the 1989 Incentive Stock Option
Plan, as amended, and in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-47262)
pertaining to the 2000 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan of our report dated May
21, 2004, with respect to the consolidated financial statements incorporated
herein by reference, and our report included in the preceding paragraph with
respect to the financial statement schedule included in this Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year ended March 31, 2004.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Houston, Texas
June 29, 2004