EXHIBIT 5.1


                           January 28, 1998

Avnet, Inc.
80 Cutter Mill Road
Great Neck, New York  11021

     Re:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I  refer  to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") to be  filed by Avnet, Inc. (the "Company") with the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission  with  respect  to  the  registration  under  the
Securities Act of  1933,  as  amended,  of  $50,000,000 aggregate amount of
Avnet  Deferred  Compensation Plan obligations  (the  "Obligations").   The
Obligations  are unsecured  obligations  of  the  Company  to  pay  certain
benefits in the  future  in accordance with the terms of the Avnet Deferred
Compensation Plan (the "Plan")  and  the  Avnet Deferred Compensation Rabbi
Trust (the "Trust").

     I  have  examined  such documents as I considered  necessary  for  the
purposes of this opinion.  Based on such examination, it is my opinion that
the Plan and Trust have been duly and validly authorized and adopted by the
Company, and the Obligations  being registered hereunder that may be issued
to participants in the Plan, when  issued  or  sold  in accordance with the
Plan, will be valid and binding obligations to the Company,  enforceable in
accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may  be  limited
by  bankruptcy,  insolvency or other laws of general applicability relating
to or affecting enforcement  of  creditors' rights or by general principles
of equity.

     I do not find it necessary for  the purposes of this opinion to cover,
and  accordingly  I  express  no opinion as  to,  the  application  of  the
securities or blue sky laws of  the  various  states  to  the  sale  of the
Obligations.

     I  consent  to  the  use  of  this  opinion  as  Exhibit  5.1  to  the
Registration  Statement  and  to all references to me included in or made a
part of the Registration Statement.

                                   Very truly yours,


                                   /S/ DAVID R. BIRK
                                   David R. Birk