Exhibit 23




                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the registration  statements of
Old  Republic  International  Corporation  on  Form  S-8  (File  Nos.  33-38528,
33-49646,  33-32439,  2-80883 and 33-52069) and on Form S-3 (File Nos. 33-49864,
33-54104 and  333-43311) of our report dated March 10, 1999 on our audits of the
consolidated financial statements of Old Republic  International  Corporation as
of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and for the years ended  December 31, 1998,  1997
and 1996, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



                                             /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP





Chicago, Illinois
March 10, 1999