Exhibit 5.1

                     [Letterhead of Dewey Ballantine LLP]

                                          July 17, 2001

Triad Hospitals, Inc.
13455 Noel Road, 20th Floor
Dallas, TX 75240

Ladies and Gentlemen:

   Re: 8 3/4% Series B Senior Notes Due 2009

   We have acted as counsel to Triad Hospitals, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the Company's offer to exchange (the
"Exchange Offer") up to $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8 3/4% Series
B Senior Notes due 2009 (the "Exchange Notes") which are being registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), for its existing
8 3/4% Senior Notes due 2009 (the "Old Notes"), as described in the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 relating to the Exchange Offer (as amended or
supplemented, the "Registration Statement"), to be filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. The Old Notes were issued, and the Exchange Notes are
proposed to be issued, under an indenture dated as of April 27, 2001 (the
"Indenture"), by and between the Company and Citibank, N.A. (the "Trustee").
The terms of the Exchange Notes to be issued are substantially identical to the
Old Notes, except for certain transfer restrictions and registration rights
relating to the Old Notes. The Indenture is an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.

   In rendering the opinion expressed below, we have examined originals or
copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such
documents, corporate records, certificates, agreements and such matters as we
have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of this opinion.

   In such examination, we have assumed, without independent investigation, the
genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to
us as originals, the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted
to us as copies and the correctness of all statements of fact in all documents
examined. We have further assumed that (i) all parties to the foregoing
documents (other than the Company) are validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of all jurisdictions where they are conducting their businesses
or otherwise required to be so qualified, and have full power and authority and
all necessary consents and approvals to execute, deliver and perform their
respective obligations under such documents, (ii) all such documents have been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action on the part of the
parties thereto (other than the Company), have been duly executed by such
parties and have been duly delivered by such parties and (iii) all such
documents constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of each party
thereto (other than the Company) enforceable against such party in accordance
with its terms. In rendering the opinion set forth below, we have relied as to
factual matters upon certificates, statements and representations of the
Company, its officers and representatives and public officials.



   Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
Exchange Notes have been duly authorized by the Company and, upon due
authentication of the Exchange Notes by the Trustee and issuance pursuant to
the Exchange Offer in accordance with the terms thereof, the Exchange Notes
will be duly executed, issued and delivered by the Company and constitute valid
and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited
by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or
similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by
general principles of equity and the discretion of the court before which any
proceedings therefor may be brought.

   In rendering the foregoing opinion, we express no opinion, either directly
or indirectly, as to laws other than the laws of the State of New York and the
general corporate laws of the State of Delaware (including the applicable
provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the reported judicial decisions
interpreting the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and such
applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution) as of the date hereof. The
foregoing opinion is rendered as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation
to update such opinion to reflect any facts or circumstances which may
hereafter come to our attention or any changes in the law which may hereafter
occur.

   We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we
come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

   This opinion is rendered solely to you in connection with the above matter.
This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose or relied upon
by or furnished to any other person without our prior written consent.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          DEWEY BALLANTINE LLP