EXHIBIT 5
 
                               PALMER & DODGE LLP
                               ONE BEACON STREET
                          BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02108
Telephone: (617) 573-0100                              Facsimile: (617) 227-4420
                                 April 2, 1998
 
MAXIMUS, Inc.
1356 Beverly Road
McLean, VA 22101
 
     We are rendering this opinion in connection with the Registration Statement
on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") filed by MAXIMUS, Inc. (the
"Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, on or about the date hereof. The Registration Statement
relates to 1,166,179 shares of the Company's Common Stock, no par value (the
"Shares"), to be issued in connection with the merger of MAXIMUS Acquisition
Corp. ("Merger Sub") with and into David M. Griffith & Associates, Ltd.
("Griffith") pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 9,
1998 (the "Agreement") among the Company, Griffith and Merger Sub.
 
     We have acted as your counsel in connection with the preparation of the
Registration Statement and are familiar with the proceedings taken by the
Company in connection with the authorization and issuance of the Shares. We have
examined such documents as we consider necessary to render this opinion.
 
     Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that upon issuance in
accordance with the Agreement, the Shares will be duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
     We hereby consent to the use of our name under the caption "Legal Matters"
in the Registration Statement and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement.
                                          Very truly yours,
 
                                          /s/ PALMER & DODGE LLP