EXHIBIT 23.3

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

    We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Independent
Auditors" in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of
Gilead Sciences, Inc. for the registration of $250,000,000 of 5% Convertible
Subordinated Notes due December 15, 2007 and 2,544,529 shares of its common
stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
January 24, 2000, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and
schedule of Gilead Sciences, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for
the year ended December 31, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Palo Alto, California
January 24, 2001