EXHIBIT 5.1
 
                                 June 26, 1996
 
Labor Ready, Inc.
2156 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, Washington 98402
 
    Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Labor Ready, Inc.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
    We  have acted as counsel to Labor Ready, Inc. (the "Company") in connection
with  the   filing  of   the   above-referenced  Registration   Statement   (the
"Registration  Statement") relating to the registration of shares (the "Shares")
of common stock,  without par  value per share,  of the  Company. In  connection
therewith,  we have  reviewed the  Company's Articles  of Incorporation, Bylaws,
minutes of appropriate meetings, and such other matters we deemed appropriate.
 
    Based on this review, it is our opinion that:
 
        1.  The Company is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws
    of the State of Washington.
 
        2.   The  Shares  will  be  fully  paid  and  non-assessable  under  the
    Washington  Business  Corporation  Act  when  certificates  representing the
    Shares shall have been duly executed, countersigned and registered and  duly
    delivered   to  the   purchases  thereof   against  payment   of  the  agree
    consideration thereof.
 
    We do not find it necessary for  the purposes of this opinion to cover,  and
accordingly  we express no opinion  as to, the application  of the securities or
blue sky laws of the various states to the sale of the Shares.
 
    We hereby  consent to  the  filing of  this opinion  as  an exhibit  to  the
Registration  Statement and to all references to  our firm included in or made a
part of the Registration Statement.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
                                          PRESTON GATES & ELLIS
                                          By /S/ MARK R. BEATTY