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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(a)


Consent of Independent Accountants



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of
Zapata Corporation Form S-8 (File No. 33-123) of our report dated January 23,
1995, on our audit of the financial statements of Zapata Haynie Corporation
Profit-Sharing/Savings Plan as of September 30, 1994 and for the year then
ended, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 11-K.

                                         Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

Houston, Texas
February 15, 1995