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                                                                       EXHIBIT 5
 
                              ITT INDUSTRIES, INC.
                              4 West Red Oak Lane
                             White Plains, NY 10604
 
                                                               December 21, 1995
ITT Industries, Inc.
4 West Red Oak Lane
White Plains, NY 10604
 
Dear Sirs:
 
     I am familiar with the Stock Option Incentive Plan (1977), ITT Industries
1986 Incentive Stock Plans, 1994 ITT Industries Incentive Stock Plan and
Substitute Stock Options (collectively, the "Plans") of ITT Industries, Inc., an
Indiana corporation ("Industries"), under which shares of Industries common
stock, par value $1 per share, have been authorized initially for issuance (the
"Shares"). I have acted as counsel to Industries in connection with the
preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of Post-Effective Amendment No.
1 to Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") with
respect to the registration of the Shares under the Act. In this connection, I
have examined such records, documents and proceedings as I have deemed relevant
and necessary as a basis for the opinion expressed herein.
 
     Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that Shares have been duly
authorized for issuance under the Plans by all proper corporate action and, when
such Shares have been issued pursuant to the provisions of the Plans as set
forth in the Registration Statement and Industries' policies relating thereto,
and any conditions or restrictions relating thereto shall have been satisfied,
such Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
 
     I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement.
 
                                   Very truly yours,
 
                                   /s/ ROBERT W. BEICKE
                                       Robert W. Beicke
                                       Vice President, Associate General Counsel
                                         and Assistant Secretary