Exhibit 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-52125) pertaining to the Ashland Inc. Deferred
Compensation and Stock Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors, in the
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 2-95022) pertaining to the Ashland
Inc. Amended Stock Incentive Plan for Key Employees, in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-32612) pertaining to the Ashland Inc. Employee
Savings Plan, in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-26101)
pertaining to the Ashland Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan, in the
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-55922) pertaining to the Ashland
Inc. 1993 Stock Incentive Plan, in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No.
33-49907) pertaining to the Ashland Inc. Leveraged Employee Stock Ownership
Plan, in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-62901) pertaining to
the Ashland Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8 No. 333-33617) pertaining to the Ashland Inc. 1997 Stock
Incentive Plan, in the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-78675)
pertaining to the registration of 68,925 shares of Ashland Inc. Common
Stock, in the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-36842) pertaining to
the registration of 96,600 shares of Ashland Inc. Common Stock, and in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-70651) pertaining to the offering
of $600,000,000 of Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depository Shares,
Common Stock and/or Warrants of Ashland Inc., of our report dated November
1, 2000, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule
of Ashland Inc. and consolidated subsidiaries included in this Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended September 30, 2000.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Cincinnati, Ohio
November 27, 2000
