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                                                                      EXHIBIT 23




                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 333-38624) pertaining to the Belden & Blake Corporation Nonqualified
Stock Option Plan of our report dated March 9, 2001, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Belden & Blake Corporation included in the
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2000.



                                                  ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Cleveland, Ohio
March 22, 2001