EXHIBIT 5



                               December 23, 1997



Energen Corporation
2101 Sixth Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama  35203

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                In our capacity as counsel for Energen Corporation, an Alabama
corporation ("Energen"), we have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-3
(the "Registration Statement"), in the form as proposed to be filed by Energen
on December 24, 1997 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to up to
$400,000,000 of (i) its notes, debentures or other evidences of unsecured
indebtedness (the "Debt Securities") and (ii) its common stock, par value $.01
per share (the "Common Stock"). The Common Stock and the Debt Securities are
collectively referred to as the "Offered Securities." The Offered Securities are
to be offered by Energen to the public pursuant to the Registration Statement.
In this connection, we have examined such records, documents and proceedings as
we have deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinions expressed
herein.

                Upon the basis of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

                (i) the Debt Securities to be offered under the Registration
        Statement, to the extent actually issued by Energen pursuant to the
        Selling Agency Agreement described in the Registration Statement (the
        "Selling Agency Agreement"), will be duly and validly authorized and
        issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable Debt Securities of
        Energen, and will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of
        Energen in accordance with their terms;
   
                (ii) the Common Stock to be offered under the Registration
        Statement, to the extent actually issued by Energen pursuant to the
        Common Stock Underwriting Agreement described in the Registration
        Statement (the "Underwriting Agreement"), will be duly and validly
        authorized and issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable Common
        Stock of Energen; and

                (iii) under the laws of the State of Alabama, no personal
        liability will attach to the ownership of the Offered Securities of
        Energen.
 
                We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
In addition, we hereby consent to the inclusion of the statements made in
reference to our firm under the caption "LEGAL OPINIONS" in the Prospectus which
is a part of the Registration Statement.

                                       Yours very truly,


                                       /s/ Bradley Arant Rose & White LLP