EXHIBIT 5


                               PALMER & DODGE LLP
                    One Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108-3190




TELEPHONE: (617) 573-0100                             FACSIMILE: (617) 227-4420


                                November 20, 1998

MAXIMUS, Inc.
1356 Beverly Road
McLean, Virginia  22101


     We are rendering this opinion in connection with the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") filed by MAXIMUS, Inc. (the
"Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), on or about the date hereof.  The
Registration Statement relates to up to 4,000,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock, no par value per share (the "Shares"), including 2,000,000 shares of
Common Stock being sold by certain shareholders of the Company to the
Underwriters. We understand that the Shares are to be offered and sold in the
manner described in the Registration Statement.

     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, issuance and sale of the Shares.
We have examined all such documents as we consider necessary to enable us to
render this opinion.

     Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that upon the due execution
and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement by the Company, the Selling
Shareholders and the Underwriters and the due issuance and delivery of the
Shares in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement against payment therefor as
contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Shares will be valid,
nonassessable and fully-paid.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the prospectus filed as part thereof.

                                                  Very truly yours,


                                                  /s/ Palmer & Dodge LLP
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                      Palmer & Dodge LLP