EXHIBIT 5


June 17, 1998


HEALTHSOUTH Corporation
One Healthsouth Parkway
Birmingham, Alabama 35243

                   RE: REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 -
           HEALTHSOUTH CORPORATION / NATIONAL SURGERY CENTERS, INC.
                            OUR FILE NO. 29075-417

Gentlemen:

     We have  served as  counsel  for  HEALTHSOUTH  Corporation,  a  corporation
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware  ("HEALTHSOUTH"),
in  connection  with the  registration  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as
amended,   pursuant  to  HEALTHSOUTH's   Registration   Statement  on  Form  S-4
(Commission File No. 333- ) (the  "Registration  Statement") of up to 23,623,673
shares of Common Stock,  par value $.01 per share, of HEALTHSOUTH (the "Shares")
to be issued pursuant to that certain Plan and Agreement of Merger,  dated as of
May  5,  1998,  by and  among  HEALTHSOUTH,  Field  Acquisition  Corporation,  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of HEALTHSOUTH and National  Surgery  Centers,  Inc., a
Delaware  corporation.  This  opinion  is  furnished  to  you  pursuant  to  the
requirements of the Registration Statement.

     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 HEALTHSOUTH and to the authorization and issuance of the Shares
and the  authorization and adoption of the Agreement as we have deemed necessary
and appropriate.

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

     1. The Shares have been duly authorized.

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

     We do hereby  consent to the reference to our firm under the heading "Legal
Matters" in 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/ Robert E. Lee Garner
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Robert E. Lee Garner