EXHIBIT 5.1
LAW OFFICES
NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH, L.L.P.
A REGISTERED LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL CORPORATIONS
400 COLONY SQUARE
SUITE 2200
1201 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA  30361
TELEPHONE (404) 817-6000
TELECOPIER (404) 817-6050
     
          OTHER OFFICES:
          Charleston, South Carolina
          Columbia, South Carolina
          Greenville, South Carolina
          Lexington, South Carolina
          Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

September 18, 1995

Kinark Corporation
7060 South Yale
Tulsa, Oklahoma  74136

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to Kinark Corporation (the "Company") in
connection with the filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
covering the offering of up to 5,619,615 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's
common stock, $.10 par value per share.  In connection therewith, we have
examined such corporate records, certificates of public officials and other
documents and records as we have considered necessary or proper for the purpose
of this opinion.

     This opinion is limited by and is in accordance with the January 1, 1992,
edition of the Interpretive Standards applicable to Legal Opinions to Third
Parties in Corporate Transactions adopted by the Legal Opinion Committee of the
Corporate and Banking Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia.

     Based on the foregoing, and having regard to legal considerations which we
deem relevant, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when issued and delivered
as described in 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 and to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement.

                    Very truly yours,

                    NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH, L.L.P.
                    A REGISTERED LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP INCLUDING
                    PROFESSIONAL CORPORATIONS