EXHIBIT 5.1

                                October 24, 1996



Kevco, Inc.
University Centre I
1300 S. University Drive, Suite 200
Fort Worth, Texas  76107

     Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Kevco, Inc.
          Registration No. 333-11173

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We are acting as counsel for Kevco, Inc., a Texas corporation (the
"Company"), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Act"), of the offer and sale of 2,100,000 shares
(and up to an additional 315,000 shares to cover underwriters' overallotments)
of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the "Shares").  A
Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-11173, covering the
offer and sale of the Shares was filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") on August 30, 1996 (as amended, the "Registration
Statement").  The Shares are to be sold to the underwriters for resale to the
public as described in the Registration Statement and pursuant to the
underwriting agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

     In reaching the conclusions expressed in this opinion, we have examined and
relied on such documents, corporate records and other instruments, including
certificates of public officials and certificates of officers of the Company,
and made such further investigation and inquiry as we have deemed necessary for
the expression of the opinions expressed herein.  In making the foregoing
examinations, we have assumed that all signatures on all documents submitted to
us are genuine, that all documents submitted to us as originals are accurate and
complete, and that all documents submitted to us as copies are true, correct and
complete copies of the originals thereof.

 
Kevco, Inc.
October 24, 1996
Page 2

     Based solely upon the foregoing and subject to the comments and exceptions
herein stated, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly and validly
authorized by the Company, and when paid for, issued and delivered as described
in and in accordance with the Registration Statement and the Underwriting
Agreement, the Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the
State of Texas.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm therein
under the caption "Legal Matters."  In giving this consent, we do not hereby
admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required
under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission
promulgated thereunder.

                                    Very truly yours,


                                    /s/  JACKSON & WALKER, L.L.P.