EXHIBIT 5.1
 
                              September 26, 1997
 
Hyperion Telecommunications, Inc.
Main at Water Street
Coudersport, PA 16915
 
Dear Sirs:
 
  We have acted as counsel to Hyperion Telecommunications, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Hyperion", the "Company" or the "Registrant"), in connection
with the proposed exchange (the "Exchange") by the Company of 12 1/4% Series B
Senior Secured Notes Due 2004 ("New Notes") for an equal principal amount of
its outstanding 12 1/4% Senior Secured Notes Due 2004 ("Old Notes").
 
  In connection with the proposed Exchange, we have examined the Certificate
of Incorporation of Hyperion, the Bylaws of Hyperion, the relevant corporate
proceedings of the Registrant, the draft Registration Statement on Form S-4
covering the proposed Exchange (the "Registration Statement"), including the
Prospectus filed as a part of the Registration Statement, the Indenture dated
August 27, 1997 with respect to the Old Notes and New Notes (the "Indenture"),
and such other documents, records, certificates of public officials, statutes
and decisions as we considered necessary to express the opinions contained
herein. In the examination of such documents, we have assumed the genuiness of
all signatures and the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals and the conformity to the original documents of all documents
submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies.
 
  We understand that the New Notes are to be issued to the holders of the Old
Notes in the Exchange and are to be available for resale by such holders, all
in the manner described in the Prospectus which is a part of the Registration
Statement and in the Indenture.
 
  Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
 
  1. The issuance of the New Notes to the holders of the Old Notes pursuant
     to the terms of the Exchange and the Indenture have been duly authorized
     by proper corporate action of the Registrant.
 
  2. When the Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by
     order of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New Notes have
     been duly issued to and exchanged for the Old Notes in accordance with
     the terms of the Exchange, the Indenture and the Registration Statement,
     such New Notes will be validly issued and will constitute binding
     obligations of the Registrant, subject, as to enforcement, (i) to any
     applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and
     similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights and remedies
     generally and (ii) to general principles of judicial discretion and
     equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith
     and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a
     proceeding at law or in equity).
 
  We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to any reference to us in the Prospectus which is a
part hereof.
 
                                          Sincerely,
 
                                          BUCHANAN INGERSOLL PROFESSIONAL
                                          CORPORATION
 
                                          By: /s/ Carl E. Rothenberger, Jr.
                                             -----------------------------
                                               Carl E. Rothenberger, Jr.