EXHIBIT 23.1

              CONSENT OF ERNST AND YOUNG, LLP INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

    We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our report dated February 25, 2000 included in amendment No. 5 to the
Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-96127) and related Prospectus of Rigel
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the registration of 10,350,000 shares of its common
stock.

                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Palo Alto, California
April 10, 2000