EXHIBIT 5

                                               [WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES LOGO]

October 9, 2003


The Board of Directors of
Worthington Industries, Inc.
1205 Dearborn Drive
Columbus Ohio  43085


Gentlemen:


I am familiar with the proceedings taken and proposed to be taken by Worthington
Industries, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the
institution of the Worthington Industries, Inc. 2003 Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan"); the granting of options to purchase common shares, without par value
("Common Shares"), of the Company under the terms of the Plan; and the issuance
and sale of Common Shares of the Company upon exercise of options granted and to
be granted under the Plan. I have collaborated in the preparation of the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by
the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the registration of
7,000,000 Common Shares of the Company, under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, (the "1933 Act"), for the purpose of offering such Common Shares
pursuant to the Plan to employees of the Company or its subsidiaries
("Optionees"). In connection therewith, I have examined, among other things,
such records and documents as I have deemed necessary in order to express the
opinions hereinafter set forth.


Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the further qualifications and
limitations set forth below, as of the date hereof, I am of the opinion that:

1.   The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under
the laws of the State of Ohio;

2.   When options with respect to the 7,000,000 Common Shares covered by the
Registration Statement have been granted to eligible participants pursuant to
the Plan, such options, will be legally constituted and binding obligations of
the Company in accordance with their terms; and

3.   When the 7,000,000 Common Shares have been issued and delivered by the
Company upon the exercise of options granted under the Plan against payment of
the purchase price therefor, in accordance with the terms of the Plan and any
award agreements entered into by participants in the Plan with the Company as
contemplated by the terms of the Plan, such Common Shares will be validly issued
and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, assuming compliance with
applicable Federal and state securities laws.




The Board of Directors              -Page Two-                   October 9, 2003







I am a member of the Bar of the State of Ohio and do not purport to be an expert
in the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of Ohio,
including the applicable provisions of the Ohio Constitution and the reported
judicial decisions interpreting those laws, and the United States of America.

I consent to the use of my opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement
and to the reference to me therein. By giving such consent, I do not admit that
I come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7
of the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Very truly yours,


/s/Dale T. Brinkman

Dale T. Brinkman
Vice President-Administration,
General Counsel and Secretary