EXHIBIT 5.1




                                November 5, 1997



Arabian Shield Development Company
10830 North Central Expressway
Suite 175
Dallas, Texas   75231

    Re:      Registration of 500,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.10
             per share, pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-8

Gentlemen:

        We have acted as special counsel for Arabian Shield Development
Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement"), of 500,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.10 per share, of
the Company (the "Common Stock") to be offered to key employees of the Company
pursuant to the Stock Option Plan of Arabian Shield Development Company (the
"Option Plan").

        Based upon our examination of such papers and documents and the
investigation of such matters of law as we have deemed relevant or necessary in
rendering this opinion, we hereby advise you that we are of the opinion that:

        1.       The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and validly
existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

        2.       Assuming, with respect to shares of Common Stock issued after
the date hereof, (i) the receipt of proper consideration for the issuance
thereof in excess of par value thereof, (ii) the availability of a sufficient
number of shares of Common Stock authorized by the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, then in effect, (iii) compliance with the terms of
any agreement entered into in connection with any options under the Option
Plan, and (iv) no change occurs in the applicable law or the pertinent facts,
the shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of any option granted
under the Option Plan will upon issuance be duly authorized and validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock.


Arabian Shield Development Company
November 5, 1997
Page 2



        We consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission for the registration under the Securities Act of 500,000 shares of
Common Stock of the Company covered by the Option Plan.  By so consenting, we
do not thereby admit that our firm's consent is required by Section 7 of the
Securities Act.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       LOCKE PURNELL RAIN HARRELL
                                       (A Professional Corporation)


                                       By: /s/ M. Charles Jennings
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          M. Charles Jennings