EXHIBIT 23.1
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
   
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected
Financial Data" and "Experts" and to the use of our report dated February 7,
1997, in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-21611)
and related Prospectus of MAXIMUS, Inc. for the registration of 4,400,000 shares
of its common stock.
    
 
                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Washington, DC
   
March 27, 1997