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                                                                       EXHIBIT 5

                                January 21, 1999

NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.
2621 Van Buren Avenue
Norristown, Pennsylvania   19403

Gentlemen:

         This opinion is furnished in connection with the registration statement
on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement"), pursuant to the Securities Act of
1993, as amended (the "Act"), filed by NovaCare Employee Services, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), with respect to 1,500,000 shares (the
"Shares") of the common stock, $.01 par value, of the Company which have been or
are to be offered by the Company to employees of the Company pursuant to the
Company's 1997 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan").

         As General Counsel of the Company, I have acted as counsel in
connection with the registration of the Shares under the Act. I have examined
the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and amendments thereto; the
By-Laws of the Company; such records of proceedings of the Company's Board of
Directors as I have deemed material; the Registration Statement; and such other
documents as I considered necessary for the purposes of this opinion.

         Based upon and subject to the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the
Shares have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and paid for in
accordance with the terms of the Plan and stock options duly granted thereunder,
will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         I understand that this opinion is to be used in connection with the
Registration Statement. I consent to the use of my name in the Registration
Statement and the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the Registration
Statement.

                                                     Sincerely,

                                                     /s/ Christina D. Harris
                                                     Christina D. Harris