EXHIBIT 5.1

                      [Letterhead of NDCHealth Corporation]


October 1, 2003


NDCHealth Corporation
NDC Plaza
Atlanta, Georgia  30329-2010

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         I am the General Counsel of NDCHealth Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and have represented the Company as such in
connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the
"Registration Statement") to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission relating to the following shares (collectively, the "Shares") that
may be sold by a certain stockholder of the Company: (1) 491,618 shares (the
"Issued Shares") of common stock, par value $.125 per share, of the Company
outstanding as of the date hereof and (2) 705,200 shares (the "Option Shares")
of common stock, par value $.125 per share, of the Company that may be issued
upon the exercise of options (the "Options") in respect of such Option Shares.

         In so acting, I have reviewed such matters of law and examined
original, certified, conformed or photographic copies of such documents,
records, agreements and certificates as I have deemed necessary as a basis for
the opinion hereinafter expressed. In such review, I have assumed the
genuineness of signatures on all documents submitted to me as originals and the
conformity to original documents of all copies submitted to me as certified,
conformed or photographic copies.

         For purposes of the opinion set forth in clause (iii) below, I have
assumed the following: (1) the Option Shares issued upon exercise of the Options
will continue to be duly authorized on the dates of such issuance and (2) on the
date on which any of the Options are exercised, such Options will have been duly
executed, issued and delivered by the Company and will constitute a valid and
binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
with its terms subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors generally and to the effect of general principles of
equity.

         This opinion is limited in all respects to the Delaware General
Corporation Law, and no opinion is expressed with respect to the laws of any
other jurisdiction or any effect which such laws may have on the opinion
expressed herein. This opinion is limited to the matters stated herein and no
opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated
herein.





         Based upon the foregoing, and subject to all of the assumptions,
limitations and qualifications set forth herein, I am of the opinion that:

                  (i) The Shares are duly authorized.

                  (ii) The Issued Shares are validly issued, fully paid and
         non-assessable.

                  (iii) When the Option Shares are issued upon exercise of the
         Options against payment therefor, such Option Shares will be validly
         issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         This opinion is given as of the date hereof, and I assume no obligation
to advise you after the date hereof of facts or circumstances that come to my
attention or changes in laws that occur, which could affect the opinions
contained herein. This opinion may not be relied upon by any person or entity
(other than the addressee hereof) for any purpose without my prior written
consent.

         I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to me under the caption "Validity of
Common Stock" in the prospectus that is included in the Registration Statement.



                                         Very truly yours,


                                         /s/ Margaret T. Wilkinson
                                         ------------------------------------
                                         Margaret T. Wilkinson
                                         Vice President, Secretary and
                                         General Counsel