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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                                  July 8, 1996




A.D.A.M. Software, Inc.
1600 RiverEdge Parkway
Suite 800
Atlanta, Georgia  30328

            Re: A.D.A.M. Software, Inc. -- Registration Statement on
                Form S-8 relating to 1,400,000 shares of Common Stock


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel for A.D.A.M. Software, Inc., a Georgia
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation of a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, relating to the registration of 1,400,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Shares") issuable by the Company
pursuant to the A.D.A.M. Software, Inc. Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option
Plan (the "Option Plan").

     In connection with this opinion, 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.  As to matters of fact material to this
opinion, we have relied upon statements and representations of representatives
of the Company and of public officials.

     The opinions expressed herein are limited in all respects to the federal
laws of the United States of America and the laws 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.


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A.D.A.M. Software, Inc.
July 8, 1996
Page 2

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      Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

        (i)  The Shares are duly authorized.

        (ii) Upon the issuance of the Shares against payment therefor as
 provided in the Option Plan, the Shares will be 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 the
Company 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 hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus that is related to the Registration Statement.

                                   Very truly yours,


                                   KING & SPALDING




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