Exhibit 23.1


                        Consent of Independent Auditors

     We consent to the  incorporation  by reference  in  Amendment  No. 4 to the
Registration  Statement (Form S-3 No.  333-54762) and the related  Prospectus of
Ashland Inc.  (Ashland)  for the  registration  of 149,300  shares of its common
stock,  of our report dated November 1, 2000,  with respect to the  consolidated
financial  statements  and schedule of Ashland  included in its Annual Report on
Form 10-K (as amended by Form  10-K/A) for the year ended  September  30,  2000,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Cincinnati, Ohio
May 23, 2001