EXHIBIT 5.1
                       [Letterhead of Latham & Watkins]







                                March 17, 1999






Amgen Inc.
One Amgen Center Drive
Thousand Oaks, California  91320-1789

                Re:  Amgen Inc.
                     Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share
                     Registration on Form S-8
                     ----------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                At your request, we have examined the Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement"), which you intend to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of an aggregate of 200,000 shares of Common
Stock, par value $.0001 per share (the "Shares"), to be sold by Amgen Inc. (the
"Company") under the Amgen Limited Sharesave Plan (the "Plan"). We are familiar
with the proceedings undertaken in connection with the authorization and
proposed issuance and sale of the Shares. Additionally, we have examined such
questions of law and fact as we have considered necessary or appropriate for
purposes of this opinion.

                Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares
have been duly authorized, and upon the issuance of Shares under the terms of
the Plan and delivery and payment therefor of legal consideration in excess of
the aggregate par value of the Shares issued, such Shares will be validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

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

                                        Very truly yours,

 

                                        /s/ Latham & Watkins