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                                                                       EXHIBIT 5

                                                                  (513) 723-4000

                                  June 18, 1997


Board of Directors
Ohio State Financial Services, Inc.
435 Main Street
Bridgeport, Ohio  43912

Dear Gentlemen:

         We are familiar with the proceedings taken and proposed to be taken by
Ohio State Financial Services, Inc. (the "Holding Company") in connection with
the issuance and sale by the Holding Company of up to 892,687 of its common
shares, without par value (the "Common Shares"). The Common Shares are being
offered by the Holding Company in connection with the conversion of Bridgeport
Savings and Loan Association (the "Association") from a mutual savings and loan
association incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio to a permanent
capital stock savings association incorporated under the laws of the State of
Ohio (the "Conversion").

         The Holding Company has been incorporated for the purpose of purchasing
all of the capital stock to be issued by the Association in connection with the
Conversion. We have assisted the Association with matters related to the
incorporation and organization of the Holding Company. In addition, we have
collaborated in the preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the
"Registration Statement") to be filed by the Holding Company with the Securities
and Exchange Commission for the registration of the Common Shares under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In connection therewith, we have examined,
among other things, such records and documents as we have deemed necessary in
order to express the opinions hereinafter set forth.

         Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Holding
Company is a duly organized and legally existing corporation under the laws of
the State of Ohio. Assuming compliance with applicable federal and state
securities laws, we are also of
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Board of Directors
June 18, 1997
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the opinion that the Common Shares to be issued and sold by the Holding Company
when the purchase orders have been accepted and the purchase price for the
Common Shares has been paid in money as specified in the Registration Statement
when it shall become effective, will be validly issued and outstanding, fully
paid and non-assessable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, until payments are
received by the Holding Company from the Bridgeport Savings and Loan Association
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP") in accordance with the terms of a
loan agreement to be entered into by and between the Holding Company and the
ESOP, shares for which payment in money has not been received will not be fully
paid and non-assessable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to us in the Prospectus included
therein.

                                                Very truly yours,


                                                Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease