Exhibit 23
                                                                     ----------











                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS





We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statements on Form S-3 (No. 333-43311) and on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-49646, 33-32439,
2-80883,  33-52069,  333-58248,  333-40536,  333-37210  and  333-104279)  of Old
Republic  International  Corporation of our report dated March 10, 2004 relating
to the financial statements, which appears in this Form 10-K.




                                          /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP



Chicago, Illinois
March 11, 2004