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                                                                       EXHIBIT 5


                                  April 8, 1999



Dan River Inc.
2291 Memorial Drive
Danville, Virginia  24541

            Re:         Dan River Inc.
                        Registration Statement on Form S-3

Gentlemen:

            We have acted as counsel for Dan River Inc., a Georgia corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission relating to 9,224,263 shares of Class A Common Stock
outstanding as of the date hereof that may be sold by certain shareholders of
the Company (the "Shares").

            As such counsel, we have examined and relied upon such records,
documents, certificates and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary
or appropriate to form the basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth. In all
such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of signatures on original
documents and the conformity to such original documents of all copies submitted
to us as certified, conformed or photographic copies, and as to certificates of
public officials, we have assumed the same to have been properly given and to be
accurate.

            The opinions expressed herein are limited in all respects to the
corporate law of the State of Georgia, and no opinion is expressed with respect
to the laws of any other jurisdiction or any effect which such laws may have on
the opinions expressed herein. This opinion is limited to the matters stated
herein, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters
expressly stated herein.

            Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares are
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

            This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and we assume no
obligation to advise you after the date hereof of facts or circumstances that
come to our attention or changes in law that occur which could affect the
opinions contained herein. This letter is being rendered solely for the benefit
of Dan River Inc. in connection with the matters addressed herein. This opinion
may not be furnished to or relied upon by any person or entity for any purpose
without our prior written consent.

            We consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

                                                Very truly yours,

                                                /s/ KING & SPALDING

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