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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

    We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of The Ryland Group,
Inc. for the registration of $250,000,000 Debt Securities, Common Stock,
Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Stock Purchase Units, Stock Purchase
Contracts or Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities, Common Stock or Preferred
Stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January
24, 2001, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of The Ryland
Group, Inc. incorporated by reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 2000 and the related financial statement schedule
included therein, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.




                                        /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Los Angeles, California
April 2, 2001