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                                                                     Exhibit 5.1

                                 August 2, 1996

EPIC Design Technology, Inc.
2901 Tasman Drive, Suite 212
Santa Clara, California 95054

         RE:  Registration Statement on Form S-8

Gentlemen:

         We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about August 2, 1996 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for an aggregate of 600,000 shares of your
Common Stock under the 1990 Stock Option Plan. Such shares of Common Stock are
referred to herein as the "Shares", and such plan is referred to herein as the
"Plan". As your counsel in connection with this transaction, we have examined
the proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken
by you in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to the
Plan.

         It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner described in
the Plans and pursuant to the agreements which accompany each grant under the
Plan, the Shares will be legally and validly issued, fully-paid and
non-assessable.

         We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       WILSON, SONSINI, GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                       Professional Corporation


                                       /S/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI