Exhibit 5.1



       [Letterhead of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton]


Writer's Direct Dial:  (212) 225-2920

                                    August 4, 1998


Christopher Graham, Esq.
Spectrum Information Technologies, Inc.
2700 Westchester Avenue
Purchase, N.Y.

Dear Sirs:

           Spectrum Information Technologies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, has requested our opinion in connection with a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement")
to be filed by it today with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended the ("Act"), relating to the shares of Common Stock,
$.001 par value, of Spectrum Information Technologies, Inc. to be
issued under the Spectrum Information Technologies, Inc. 1998
Consultant Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

           We have examined and are relying on originals, or
copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of
such corporate records and such other instruments, certificates
and representations of public officials, officers and
representatives of Spectrum Information Technologies, Inc. and
such other persons, and we have made such investigations of law,
as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinion
expressed below.

           Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that the
shares of Spectrum Information Technologies, Inc. issuable under
the Plan are duly authorized and, when issued in accordance with
the terms of the Plan, at prices in excess of the par value
thereof, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.





Christopher Graham, Esq., p. 2


           We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement. By giving such consent, we
do not thereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part
of the Registration Statement, including this exhibit, within the
meaning of the term "expert" as used in the Act or the rules and
regulations of the Commission issued thereunder.

                               Very truly yours,

                               CLEARY, GOTTLIEB, STEEN & HAMILTON




                               By:  /s/ Arthur H. Kohn 
                                    ------------------------- 
                                     Arthur H. Kohn, a partner