EXHIBIT 5.1

                         [LATHAM & WATKINS LETTERHEAD]


                                 May 30, 2000

Tuboscope Inc.
2835 Holmes Road
Houston, Texas 77051

               Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8
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Ladies and Gentlemen:

     In connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, of an aggregate of 2,930,644 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, par
value $.01 per share, of Tuboscope Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
issuable under the Varco 1980 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended, the
Varco International 1990 Stock Option Plan, as amended and the Varco
International Inc. 1994 Director's Stock Option Plan, as amended (collectively
the "Plans" and individually a "plan") by the Company on a Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission you have requested our opinion with respect
to the matters set forth below.

     We have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries, including
an examination of originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction of such documents, corporate records and instruments, as we have
deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion. In our
examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity
of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to authentic
original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies.

     We are opining herein as to the effect on the subject transaction only of
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, including statutory and
reported decisional law thereunder, and we express no opinion with respect to
the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of any other laws.

     Subject to the foregoing and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion
that, as of the date hereof, upon the issuance and sale of the Shares, each in
the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and in accordance with the
terms of the applicable Plan, and subject to the Company completing all action
and proceedings required on its part to be taken prior to the issuance of the
Shares pursuant to the terms of the applicable Plan and the Registration
Statement, including, without limitation, collection of required payment for the
Shares, the Shares will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable securities of the Company.

          This opinion is rendered only to you and is solely for your benefit in
connection with the transactions covered hereby. This opinion may not be relied
upon by you for any other purpose, or furnished to, quoted to or relied upon by
any other person, firm or corporation for any purpose, without our prior written
consent. We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

                                   Very truly yours


                                   /s/ Latham & Watkins

                                   LATHAM & WATKINS

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