  We present HST (WFPC2 and FOC) images and UV GHRS spectra plus ground-based
optical spectra of four Luminous Infrared Galaxies (LIRGs) that have Seyfert 2
nuclei (Mrk 477, NGC 7130, NGC 5135 and IC 3639). The data provide direct
evidence of the existence of a central nuclear starburst that dominates the UV
and optical light and are dusty and compact. The bolometric luminosity of
10$^{10}$ Lsol of these starbursts is similar to the estimated bolometric
luminosities of their obscured Seyfert 1 nuclei, and thus they contribute in
the same amount to the overall energetics of these galaxies. An extended work
based on ground-based optical spectra of the 20 brightest nuclei known indicate
that at least 40% of the Seyfert 2 galaxies harbor a nuclear starburst. The
eight Seyfert 2 nuclei that harbor a starburst are strong IR emitters. This
suggests that nuclear starbursts can make a significant contribution or even
dominate the UV and optical light of LIRGs.
