EXHIBIT 23

Consent of Independent Auditors



The Board of Directors
Airgas, Inc.:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration
statement (No. 333-69214) on Form S-8 of Airgas, Inc. of our
report dated March 14, 2003 relating to the statements of
financial position of the Airgas, Inc. 2001 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the
related statements of changes in participants' equity for
the year ended December 31, 2002 and the period August 2,
2001 (inception) to December 31, 2001, which report is
included in the December 31, 2002 Annual Report on Form 11-K
of the Airgas, Inc. 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.



/s/ KPMG LLP


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 26, 2003