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                                                                       EXHIBIT 5

                    B A S S,  B E R R Y  &  S I M S    P L C
                    A PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW

                                                                
                                                                         KNOXVILLE OFFICE:
TEL:  (615) 742-6200             2700 FIRST AMERICAN CENTER             1700 RIVERVIEW TOWER
FAX:  (615) 742-6298          NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37238-2700         KNOXVILLE, TN 37901-1509
                                       (615) 742-6200                      (423) 521-6200




                                November 6, 1996


ENVOY Corporation
15 Century Boulevard, Suite 600
Nashville, Tennessee 37214

     Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as your counsel in connection with your preparation of a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be filed by you with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 6, 1996 (the "Registration Statement"),
covering 321,289 shares of common stock, no par value per share (the "Common
Stock"), of ENVOY Corporation (the "Company") to be sold by certain selling
shareholders of the Company (the "Selling Shareholders") on the terms set forth
in the Registration Statement.

     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 in order to express the opinions hereinafter set forth
and have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to original
documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies.

     Based upon the foregoing and such other matters as we have deemed
relevant, we are of the opinion that the shares of Common Stock to be sold by
the Selling Shareholders, when issued and delivered in the manner and on the
terms described in the Registration Statement (after the same is declared
effective), will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to the reference to our law firm in the Registration
Statement under the caption "Legal Matters" and to the use of this opinion as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

                                            Very truly yours,


                                            Bass, Berry & Sims PLC