Exhibit 5




                          August 14, 1996




The Board of Directors of
   Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
1600 West Merit Parkway
South Jordan, Utah  84095

     Re:  Merit Medical Systems, Inc. - Registration Statement on Form S-8

Gentlemen:

          As counsel to Merit Medical  Systems,  Inc., a Utah  corporation  (the
"Company"),  in connection with the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8
(the "Registration  Statement") to be filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended,  for  registration of 250,000 shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock, no
par value, of the Company to be offered, sold and issued by the Company pursuant
to the Merit  Medical  Systems,  Inc.  1996  Employee  Stock  Purchase Plan (the
"Purchase  Plan"),  we have examined the  originals or  certified,  conformed or
reproduction copies of all such records,  agreements,  instruments and documents
as we have deemed necessary as the basis for the opinion  expressed  herein.  In
all such  examinations,  we have assumed the  genuineness  of all  signatures on
original or certified  copies and the conformity to original or certified copies
of all copies submitted to us as conformed or reproduction copies. As to various
questions of fact relevant to the opinion hereinafter expressed,  we have relied
upon certificates of public officials and statements or certificates of officers
or representatives of the Company and others.

          Based upon and subject to the  foregoing,  we are of the opinion  that
the  Shares,  when issued in  accordance  with the terms and  conditions  of the
Purchase  Plan and  pursuant  to the  Registration  Statement,  will be  legally
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

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

                              Very truly yours,


                              KIMBALL, PARR, WADDOUPS, BROWN & GEE