  The RE$_{5}$Pt$_2$In$_4$ (RE = Gd-Tm) rare earth compounds have been
investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) as well as by DC and AC
magnetometric measurements. The compounds crystallize in an orthorhombic
crystal structure of the Lu$_{5}$Ni$_2$In$_4$-type (\textit{Pbam} space group,
No.~55). With decreasing temperature the intermetallics undergo a transition
from para- to ferro-/ferri- (RE~=~Gd, Tb, Ho, Er) or antiferromagnetic state
(RE~=~Tm). In case of Dy$_{5}$Pt$_2$In$_4$, the ferromagnetic state is reached
through an intermediate antiferromagnetic order present in a limited
temperature range. The critical temperatures of magnetic ordering range from
4.1~K (RE~=~Tm) up to 108~K (RE~=~Tb). For the majority of investigated
compounds, a cascade of additional magnetic transitions is found below the
respective critical temperatures of magnetic ordering. The magnetic moments are
found solely on the rare earth atoms, while the moments of the remaining Pt and
In atoms are absent or are too small to be detected while accompanied by the
strong rare earth's moments. The magnetocaloric (MCE) performance of
RE$_{5}$T$_2$In$_4$ (RE~=~Gd-Tm) is found quite good, especially while taking
into account the compounds with RE = Ho and Er. Maximum magnetic entropy change
($-\Delta S_M^{max}$) reaches 11.8 (RE~=~Ho) or
11.4~J$\cdot$kg$^{-1}\cdot$K$^{-1}$ (RE~=~Er) under magnetic flux density
change of 0-9~T. Under the same conditions, the relative cooling power (RCP)
and refrigerant capacity (RC) equal 607 and 495~J$\cdot$kg$^{-1}$ (RE~=~Ho) or
434 and 341~J$\cdot$kg$^{-1}$ (RE~=~Er).
