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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


                             BASS, BERRY & SIMS PLC
                    A PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW


                                                                   
        KNOXVILLE OFFICE:                                                       MEMPHIS OFFICE:
900 SOUTH GAY STREET, SUITE 1700     315 DEADERICK STREET, SUITE 2700     THE TOWER AT PEABODY PLACE
       KNOXVILLE, TN 37902            NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37238-0002    100 PEABODY PLACE, SUITE 950
         (423) 521-6200                       (615) 742-6200                MEMPHIS, TN 38103-2625
                                                                                (901) 543-5900




                                  July 24, 2001



AmSurg Corp.
20 Burton Hills Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37215

         Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as your counsel in the preparation of the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") relating to the AmSurg
Corp. 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Plan"), filed by you with the
Securities and Exchange Commission covering an aggregate of 690,000 shares (the
"Shares") of common stock, no par value, issuable pursuant to the Plan.

         In so acting we have examined and relied upon such records, documents,
and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate in order
to express the opinions hereinafter set forth and have assumed the genuineness
of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals, and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted
to us as certified or photostatic copies.

         Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares, when
issued pursuant to and in accordance with the Plan, will be validly issued,
fully paid, and non-assessable.

         We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

                                           Very truly yours,



                                           /s/ Bass, Berry & Sims PLC