EXHIBIT 5.1
 
              [LETTERHEAD OF RUBIN BAUM LEVIN CONSTANT & FREIDMAN]

                                                                 January 3, 1997



Life Medical Sciences, Inc.
379 Thornall Street
Edison, New Jersey 08837


                     Re:      Registration Statement on Form S-3
                              ----------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          We refer to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration
Statement"), filed by Life Medical Sciences, Inc. (the "Company") with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") for the purpose of
registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), 1,612,786
shares of the Company's Common Stock, $.001 par value per share (the "Shares"),
for sale by the selling stockholders named therein (the "Selling Stockholders").

          As counsel to the Company, we have examined such corpo rate records,
documents, agreements and such matters of law as we have considered necessary or
appropriate for the purpose of this opinion.

          Upon the basis of such examination, we advise you that in our opinion
(i) to the extent already outstanding, the Shares to be sold by the Selling
Stockholders are, and (ii) to the extent issuable upon exercise of outstanding
warrants or options, the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders, if and
when paid for and issued in accordance with the terms of such warrants or
options, as the case may be, will be, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

          We are members of the New York Bar, and the opinions expressed herein
are limited to questions arising under the laws of the State of New York, the
General Corporation Law of the State of

 
RUBIN BAUM LEVIN CONSTANT & FRIEDMAN
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Life Medical Sciences, Inc.
January 3, 1997
Page 2

Delaware and the Federal law of the United States, and we disclaim any opinion
whatsoever with respect to matters governed by the laws of any other
jurisdiction.

          We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the references to this firm under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus which is a part of the Registration Statement.
Reference is made to the section of the Registration Statement entitled "Legal
Matters" for a descrip tion of the relationship of Irwin M. Rosenthal, a partner
of this firm, to the Company, including a description of ownership of the
Company's securities by Mr. Rosenthal, and for a description of ownership of the
Company's securities by certain attorneys of this firm.  In giving this consent,
we do not thereby admit that we are included within the category of persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and
regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

                              Very truly yours,



                              RUBIN BAUM LEVIN CONSTANT & FRIEDMAN