Exhibit 23.1


                        Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statements on
Form S-8 (No. 2-84303),  Form S-8 and S-3 (No.  33-6054),  Form S-8 and S-3 (No.
33-26434),  Form S-8 and S-3 (No. 33-30277),  Form S-8 (No. 33-61682),  Form S-8
(No. 33-61718) and Form S-8 (No. 333-51494) of Leucadia National  Corporation of
our report dated March 28,  2002,  with  respect to the  consolidated  financial
statements of Williams  Communications Group, Inc. included in its Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2001,  incorporated  by reference in
the  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated  February  7, 2003 of  Leucadia  National
Corporation, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.






                                                          Ernst & Young LLP



Tulsa, Oklahoma
February 6, 2003