EXHIBIT 5.1

                       [RYAN & SUDAN, L.L.P. LETTERHEAD]

                                August 13, 1998


Intelect Communications, Inc.
1100 Executive Drive
Richardson, Texas 75081

      Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8 ("Registration Statement") of 
           Intelect Communications, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      We have acted as counsel to Intelect Communications, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Registrant"), with respect to the issuance of this opinion
relating to the proposed offering by the Registrant of up to One Million
(1,000,000) shares (the "Shares") of the Common Stock of the Registrant, par
value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), pursuant to the Registrant's Stock
Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Plan").

      As such counsel, we have examined such corporate records, certificates and
other documents and have made such other factual and legal investigations as we
have deemed relevant and necessary as the basis for the opinions hereinafter
expressed. In such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of all
signatures and the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals
and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as
conformed or photostatic copies.

      Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

      1. The issuance by the Registrant of the Shares pursuant to the Plan has
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the
Registrant.

      2. Upon the issuance of the Shares against payment therefor as provided in
the Plan, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

      We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.


                                          Very truly yours,



                                          RYAN & SUDAN, L.L.P.