EXHIBIT 5



Haskell Slaughter & Young, L.L.C.
1200 AmSouth/Harbert Plaza
1901 Sixth Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama  35203



April 25, 1997



HEALTHSOUTH Corporation
One HealthSouth Parkway
Birmingham, Alabama 35243



          RE:            HEALTHSOUTH CORPORATION
                    REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3

Gentlemen:

         We have  served as  counsel  for  HEALTHSOUTH  Corporation,  a Delaware
corporation  (the  "Company"),  in connection  with the  registration  under the
Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended,  of an  aggregate  of 223,000  shares (the
"Shares") of the Company's authorized Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, to
be issued pursuant to that certain Warrant  Agreement and Certificate  dated May
19, 1987 (the "Warrant  Agreement"),  between Health Images, Inc., and Robert D.
Carl,  III,  which  registration  is being  effected  pursuant to the  Company's
Registration   Statement  on  Form  S-3  relating  thereto  (the   "Registration
Statement").  This opinion is furnished to you pursuant to the  requirements  of
Form S-3.

         In connection with this opinion, we have examined and are familiar with
originals or copies  (certified or otherwise  identified to our satisfaction) of
such  documents,  corporate  records  and  other  instruments  relating  to  the
incorporation of the Company and to the authorization and issuance of the Shares
as we have deemed necessary and appropriate.

         Based  upon  the   foregoing,   and   having   regard  for  such  legal
considerations we have deemed relevant, it is our opinion that:

         1. The Shares have been duly authorized.


HEALTHSOUTH Corporation
April 25, 1997
Page 2





         2. Upon issuance,  sale and delivery of the Shares as  contemplated  in
the Registration Statement and the Warrant Agreement, the Shares will be legally
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         We hereby consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement, and
to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit thereto.

                                               Very truly yours,

                                               HASKELL SLAUGHTER & YOUNG, L.L.C.



                                               By        /s/ MARK EZELL
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                             Mark Ezell