1
                                                                Exhibit 5.1


                                July 26, 1996



BancFirst Ohio Corp.
422 Main St.
Zanesville, OH  43701

Gentlemen:

        We have acted as counsel for BancFirst Ohio Corp. (the "Company") in
connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
of up to 1,150,000 shares of common stock, par value $10.00.  In this
connection, we have examined the Articles of Incorporation, the Code of
Regulations and amendments thereto, the directors' and shareholders' minutes
and the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, exhibits thereto, and such other documents as we have deemed
necessary to the opinion hereinafter expressed.

        We are of the opinion that the Shares are validly authorized and, upon
their sale as contemplated by the Registration Statement, will be legally
issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.

                                Very truly yours,


                                EMENS, KEGLER, BROWN, HILL & RITTER CO., L.P.A.


                                By:   /s/ John R. Thomas
                                   ------------------------------------
                                     John R. Thomas, Vice President