what can cause an engine burning engine oil in a really fast fashion?

 

a number of different things.
go to a shop and have them do a compression and cylinder leakdown test, this will give you an idea of the shape your internals are in.

otherwise look for big oil leaks


[Modified by D-SPEED, 1:33 AM 1/16/2002]

 

Could be piston rings or bearings. Most likely its the piston rings.

 

Rings or valves, have them checked out.