(COMPANY LETTERHEAD)






                               September 11, 1997


                                                                   01967-660(1B)
                                                                      125483.ltr



Fortune Natural Resources Corporation
515 West Greens Road, Suite 720
One Commerce Green
Houston, Texas 77067

         RE:      Registration Statement on Form S-8
                  20,000 Shares, Common Stock, $.01 par value

Gentlemen:

         At your request,  we have examined the  Registration  Statement on Form
S-8 (the "Registration  Statement"),  as amended, which you (the "Company") have
filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  in  connection  with the
registration  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  of 20,000 shares of
Common Stock, $.01 par value ("Common Stock") to be issued by the Company in the
form of contributions to the Fortune Natural Resources Corporation 401(k) Profit
Sharing Plan (the "Plan").

         In rending this opinion, we have examined the Company's  Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, the Company's By-Laws, as amended, the minutes of the
proceedings of the Company's board of directors at which resolutions  pertaining
to the  Common  Stock  were  adopted,  and such  other  materials  as we  deemed
relevant.

         Based on the foregoing and in reliance  thereon,  we are of the opinion
that the Common Stock, when issued as contributions to the Plan, will be legally
and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         We hereby  consent to the  references to this firm in and the inclusion
of this opinion in the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

                                               Respectfully submitted,


                                               /s/ Reish & Luftman


                                   EXHIBIT 5.1