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                                                                      EXHIBIT 5




                                 May 7, 1996



Caliber System, Inc.
3560 West Market Street
Akron, Ohio 44333

Re:     1996 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan

Gentlemen:

I have acted as counsel for Caliber system, Inc. (the "Company") in connection
with the adoption of the 1996 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (the "Plan").
I have examined such documents, records and matters of law as I have
deemed necessary for purposes of this opinion, and based thereon I am of the
opinion that the shares of common stock, without par value, of the Company
("Common Stock") that may be issued pursuant to the Plan are duly authorized
and will be, when issued in accordance with the Plan, validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable

I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 being filed by the Company to effect registration of the
shares of Common Stock to be issued and sold pursuant to the Plan under the
Securities Act of 1933.

                                Very truly yours,



                                Joseph C. Weinstein
JCW:050796-2