Exhibit 5.1

August  14,  1997
Individual,  Inc.
8  New  England  Executive  Park  West
Burlington,  MA    01803

Re:        Registration Statement on Form S-8 (including Reoffer Prospectus on
Form  S-3)  Relating  to  the  Amended  and  Restated  1989 Stock Option Plan,
ClariNet 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan, and ClariNet 1996 Stock Option Plan
(collectively,  the  "Plans"),  and  the Selling Officer Shares of Individual,
Inc.  (the  "Company")
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Dear  Sir  or  Madam:

     Reference  is  made to the above-captioned Registration Statement on Form
S-8  (including Reoffer Prospectus on Form S-3) (the "Registration Statement")
filed  by  the  Company  on  or  about August 14, 1997 with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to
an aggregate of 1,738,966 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of
the  Company  issuable  pursuant  to  the  Plans  (the  "Shares").

     We  have  examined,  are  familiar  with,  and  have relied as to factual
matters  solely  upon  copies  of  the  Plans,  the Third Amended and Restated
Certificate  of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company,
the  minute books and stock records of the Company and originals of such other
documents,  certificates  and  proceedings as we have deemed necessary for the
purpose  of  rendering  this  opinion.

     Based  on  the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been
duly  authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of
the  respective  Plans,  the  terms  of  any  option  or  purchase right grant
thereunder duly authorized by the Company's Board of Directors or Compensation
Committee  and/or  any  related  agreements  with the Company, will be validly
issued,  fully  paid  and  nonassessable.

     We  consent  to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement,  and  further  consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in
the  Registration  Statement  and  any  amendments  thereto.

                       Very  truly  yours,


                       /s/  Testa,  Hurwitz  &  Thibeault,  LLP


                       TESTA,  HURWITZ  &  THIBEAULT,  LLP