EXHIBIT 5.1

                           [GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER]

                               January 31, 1996



(213) 229-7000                                                    C 62203-00022

InnoServ Technologies, Inc.
4330 Beltway, Suite 300
Arlington, Texas 76018

         RE: INNOSERV TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - FORM S-3 REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Gentlemen:

    We  have  acted  as  special  counsel  to  InnoServ   Technologies,  Inc., a
California  corporation  (the  "Company"),  in  connection with the registration
by the  Company on Form S-3  (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, of 2,030,000 shares of the Company's common stock, $.01
par value (the "Shares"). The Shares are being offered for distribution by MEDIQ
Incorporated, a  Delaware  corporation  (the  "Distributing  Shareholder"), as a
dividend to its shareholders.

    On the basis  of  such  investigation as we have deemed necessary, we are of
the opinion  that  the Shares to be offered for distribution by the Distributing
Shareholder  have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessible.


    We  hereby  consent  to  the  filing  of  this  opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration  Statement  and  to  the  reference  to this firm under the heading
"Legal  Matters"  contained  in  the   prospectus  that  forms  a  part  of  the
Registration Statement.


                                       Very truly yours,


                                        /s/  GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER
                                        -------------------------------------
                                        GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER

PFZ/MSU/MP