EXHIBIT 5.1

                 [LETTERHEAD OF WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS LLP]





                                  May 14, 2002

The Board of Directors
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
615 J.B. Hunt Corporate Drive
Lowell, Arkansas  72745

Re:      Registration Statement on Form S-3, as amended

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., an
Arkansas corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration
Statement") relating to the registration by the Company of an aggregate of
5,865,000 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's common stock, $0.01 par value
per share.

         In so acting, we have examined originals or copies, certified or
otherwise, identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, records,
certificates and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or
appropriate for purposes of this opinion. We have assumed that (i) the Shares
have been or will be issued against receipt of the consideration approved by the
Board of Directors of the Company, which will be no less than the par value
thereof, and (ii) the Shares have been or will be issued in compliance with
applicable federal and state securities laws.

         Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when
issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement, will be duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         We are expressing these opinions as members of the Bar of the State of
Arkansas and express no opinion as to any other law.

         We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the use of our name under the caption "Legal Matters" in the
Registration Statement.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS LLP

                                            /s/ WRIGHT, LINDSEY & JENNINGS LLP