SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington,  D.C.  20549

                                  FORM  10-Q

(Mark  One)

[X]     QUARTERLY  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13  OR  15(d)  OF  THE
               SECURITIES  EXCHANGE  ACT  OF  1934

For  the  quarterly  period  ended      JUNE  30,  2004.
                                        ----------------

     OR

[  ]     TRANSITION  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13  OR  15(d)  OF  THE
               SECURITIES  EXCHANGE  ACT  OF  1934

For  the  transition  period  from               to
                                    -----------       -----------

Commission  file  number   0-14697
                         ------------


                     HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.
    --------------------------------------------------------------
    (Exact  name  of  registrant  as  specified  in  its  charter)


          DELAWARE                                51-0241172
- -----------------------------------           ---------------------
(State  or  other  jurisdiction  of           (I.R.S.  Employer
incorporation  or  organization)               Identification  No.)

      355  MAPLE  AVENUE,  HARLEYSVILLE,  PENNSYLVANIA  19438-2297
   -------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Address  of  principal  executive  offices,  including  zip  code)

                          (215)  256-5000
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       (Registrant's  telephone  number,  including  area  code)

     Indicate  by  check  mark  whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required  to  be  filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12  months  (or  for  such shorter period that the
registrant  was  required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such
filing  requirements  for  the  past  90  days.
Yes   X  .  No      .
    -----      -----

     Indicate  by  check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined  in  Rule  12b-2  of  the  Act).
Yes   X  .  No      .
    -----      -----

     At  July  31, 2004, 30,074,171 shares of common stock of Harleysville Group
Inc.  were  outstanding.


Page  1




         HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES
                           INDEX

                                                                   Page  Number
                                                                   ------------
Part  I  -  Financial  Information

     Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  -  June  30,  2004  and
        December  31,  2003                                              3

     Consolidated  Statements  of  Income  -  For  the  three
        months  ended  June  30,  2004  and  2003                        4

     Consolidated  Statements  of  Income  -  For  the  six
        months  ended  June  30,  2004  and  2003                        5

     Consolidated  Statement  of  Shareholders'  Equity  -
        For  the  six  months  ended  June  30,  2004                    6

     Consolidated  Statements  of  Cash  Flows  -
        For  the  six  months  ended  June  30,  2004
        and  2003                                                        7

     Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements                      8

     Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Results
        of  Operations  and  Financial  Condition                       15

     Quantitative  and  Qualitative  Disclosure  About
        Market  Risk                                                    28

     Controls  and  Procedures                                          29

Part  II  -  Other  Information                                         30


Page  2




Item  1.  Financial  Statements

                   HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES
                         CONSOLIDATED  BALANCE  SHEETS
                     (in  thousands,  except  share  data)





                                                           JUNE 30        DECEMBER 31,
                                                            2004             2003
                                                         -----------      -----------
                                                         (unaudited)
                    ASSETS
                    ------
                                                                    
Investments:
  Fixed maturities:
    Held to maturity, at amortized cost
      (fair value $509,071 and $463,953)                 $  495,221       $  436,521
    Available for sale, at fair value
      (amortized cost $997,743 and $980,936)              1,024,795        1,033,855
  Equity securities, at fair value
    (cost $109,196 and $97,189)                             146,418          137,590
  Short-term investments, at cost,
    which approximates fair value                            47,980           31,411
  Fixed maturity securities on loan:
    Held to maturity, at amortized
      cost (fair value $1,711 and $3,532)                     1,623            3,092
    Available for sale, at fair value
      (amortized cost $136,409 and $202,222)                140,424          212,164
                                                         ----------       ----------

      Total investments                                   1,856,461        1,854,633

Cash                                                          1,050           13,430
Receivables:
  Premiums                                                  151,012          140,674
  Reinsurance (affiliate $1,489 and $699)                   174,880          164,841
  Accrued investment income                                  23,042           23,086
                                                         ----------       ----------
      Total receivables                                     348,934          328,601

Deferred policy acquisition costs                           103,924           99,033
Prepaid reinsurance premiums                                 29,007           30,899
Property and equipment, net                                  22,497           23,824
Deferred income taxes                                        55,292           43,020
Security lending collateral                                 145,505          221,454
Other assets                                                 64,435           65,495
                                                         ----------       ----------
      Total assets                                       $2,627,105       $2,680,389
                                                         ==========       ==========

        LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
        ------------------------------------
Liabilities:
  Unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses
    (affiliate $194,377 and $189,891)                    $1,253,283       $1,219,977
  Unearned premiums (affiliate $49,483 and $52,839)         450,511          437,883
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses                      83,275           91,999
  Security lending obligation                               145,505          221,454
  Debt (affiliate $18,500 and $18,500)                      119,625          120,145
  Due to affiliate                                            5,353           16,184
                                                         ----------       ----------
      Total liabilities                                   2,057,552        2,107,642
                                                         ----------       ----------
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $1 par value, authorized
    1,000,000 shares; none issued
  Common stock, $1 par value, authorized
    80,000,000 shares; issued 31,381,457
    and 31,298,532 shares; outstanding
    29,983,548 and 29,900,623 shares                         31,381           31,299
  Additional paid-in capital                                158,271          156,997
  Accumulated other comprehensive income                     37,718           60,450
  Retained earnings                                         366,870          350,844
  Deferred compensation                                        (200)          (2,356)
  Treasury stock, at cost, 1,397,909 shares                 (24,487)         (24,487)
                                                         ----------       ----------
      Total shareholders' equity                            569,553          572,747
                                                         ----------       ----------
      Total liabilities and shareholders' equity         $2,627,105       $2,680,389
                                                         ==========       ==========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



Page 3




                   HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS  OF  INCOME
                                (Unaudited)

             FOR  THE  THREE  MONTHS  ENDED  JUNE  30,  2004  AND  2003
                (dollars  in  thousands,  except  per  share  data)






                                                            2004          2003
                                                          --------      --------
Revenues:
                                                                  
  Premiums earned from affiliate (ceded
    to affiliate, $193.619 and $176,376)                  $207,652      $203,755
  Investment income, net of
    investment expenses                                     21,437        21,649
  Realized investment gains, net                                59            67
  Other income (affiliate $1,680
    and $1,821)                                              3,671         4,073
                                                          --------      --------

      Total revenues                                       232,819       229,544
                                                          --------      --------
Losses and expenses:

  Losses and loss settlement expenses
    from affiliate(ceded to affiliate,
    $122,097 and $125,308)                                 148,711       147,426
  Amortization of deferred policy
    acquisition costs                                       50,698        49,898
  Other underwriting expenses                               19,726        18,121
  Interest expense (affiliate $84
    and $92)                                                 1,566         1,393
  Other expenses                                             1,266         1,176
                                                          --------      --------
      Total expenses                                       221,967       218,014
                                                          --------      --------
      Income before income taxes                            10,852        11,530

Income taxes                                                 1,124         1,462
                                                          --------      --------
      Net income                                          $  9,728      $ 10,068
                                                          ========      ========

Per common share:

  Basic earnings                                          $    .32      $    .33
                                                          ========      ========
  Diluted earnings                                        $    .32      $    .33
                                                          ========      ========
  Cash dividend                                           $    .17      $   .165
                                                          ========      ========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



Page 4




                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS  OF  INCOME
                                (Unaudited)

            FOR  THE  SIX  MONTHS  ENDED  JUNE  30,  2004  AND  2003
              (dollars  in  thousands,  except  per  share  data)





                                                        2004          2003
                                                     ---------      ---------
Revenues:
                                                              
  Premiums earned from affiliate (ceded
    to affiliate, $364,795 and $348,681)             $414,600       $402,584
  Investment income, net of
    investment expenses                                43,079         43,096
  Realized investment gains (losses), net              12,547           (366)
  Other income (affiliate $3,455 and $3,831)            8,235          8,593
                                                     --------       --------

      Total revenues                                  478,461        453,907
                                                     --------       --------
Losses and expenses:

  Losses and loss settlement expenses
    from affiliate (ceded to affiliate,
    $261,782 and $268,190)                            299,821        311,185
  Amortization of deferred policy
    acquisition costs                                 101,386         98,215
  Other underwriting expenses                          39,364         36,678
  Interest expense (affiliate $168 and $186)            3,143          2,787
  Other expenses                                        2,685          2,387
                                                     --------       --------

      Total expenses                                  446,399        451,252
                                                     --------       --------

      Income before income taxes                       32,062          2,655

Income taxes (benefit)                                  5,841         (4,173)
                                                     --------       --------

      Net income                                     $ 26,221        $ 6,828
                                                     ========       ========

Per common share:

  Basic earnings                                     $    .88       $    .23
                                                     ========       ========

  Diluted earnings                                   $    .87       $    .23
                                                     ========       ========

  Cash dividend                                      $    .34       $    .33
                                                     ========       ========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



Page  5




                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
              CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENT  OF  SHAREHOLDERS'  EQUITY
                                (Unaudited)

                 FOR  THE  SIX  MONTHS  ENDED  JUNE  30,  2004
                          (dollars  in  thousands)






                                               ACCUMULATED
                 COMMON STOCK       ADDITIONAL OTHER
              -------------------   PAID-IN    COMPREHENSIVE  RETAINED  DEFERRED      TREASURY
                SHARES    AMOUNT    CAPITAL    INCOME         EARNINGS  COMPENSATION  STOCK      TOTAL
              ----------  -------   ---------- -------------  --------  ------------  ---------  --------
                                                                         
Balance,
 December 31,
 2003         31,298,532  $31,299   $156,997     $ 60,450     $350,844   $(2,356)     $(24,487)  $572,747
                                                                                                 --------
Net income                                                      26,221                             26,221

Other compre-
 hensive loss,
 net of tax:
  Unrealized
  investment
  losses, net of
  reclassification
  adjustment                                      (22,732)                                        (22,732)
                                                                                                 --------
Comprehensive
 income                                                                                             3,489

Issuance of
 common stock     82,925       82      1,384                                                        1,466

Tax on stock
 compensation                           (110)                                                        (110)

Deferred
 compensation                                                              2,156                    2,156

Cash dividend
 paid                                                          (10,195)                           (10,195)
              ----------  -------   --------     --------     --------   -------      --------   --------
Balance at
 June 30,
 2004         31,381,457  $31,381   $158,271     $ 37,718     $366,870   $  (200)     $(24,487)  $569,553
              ==========  =======   ========     ========     ========   =======      ========   ========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




PAGE 6




                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS  OF  CASH  FLOWS
                                (Unaudited)

          FOR  THE  SIX  MONTHS  ENDED  JUNE  30,  2004  AND  2003
                             (in  thousands)





                                                           2004           2003
                                                        ----------     ----------
                                                                 
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                            $  26,221      $   6,828
  Adjustments to reconcile net income
    to net cash provided by operating
    activities:
      Change in receivables, unearned
        premiums and prepaid reinsurance balances          (5,813)        (3,529)
      Change in affiliate balance                         (10,831)        (2,145)
      Increase in unpaid losses and
        loss settlement expenses                           33,306         80,634
      Deferred income taxes                                   (32)        (4,999)
      Increase in deferred policy
        acquisition costs                                  (4,891)        (9,409)
      Amortization and depreciation                         2,727          2,069
      Loss (gain) on sale of investments                  (12,547)           366
      Other, net                                           (4,286)       (10,584)
                                                        ---------      ---------
        Net cash provided by
          operating activities                             23,854         59,231
                                                        ---------      ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Fixed maturity investments:
    Purchases                                            (113,176)      (199,021)
    Sales or maturities                                   102,754        119,118
  Equity securities:
    Purchases                                             (16,106)        (4,162)
    Sales                                                  16,491          1,923
  Net sales (purchases) of short-term investments         (16,569)        26,552
  Sale (purchase) of property and equipment                  (379)           448
                                                        ---------      ---------
        Net cash used by investing
          activities                                      (26,985)       (55,142)
                                                        ---------      ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Issuance of common stock                                  1,466          6,721
  Repayment of debt obligations                              (520)          (475)
  Dividend paid (to affiliate, $5,781 and $5,496)         (10,195)        (9,940)
  Purchase of treasury stock                                    0         (1,877)
                                                        ---------      ---------
        Net cash used by
          financing activities                             (9,249)        (5,571)
                                                        ---------      ---------
Decrease in cash                                          (12,380)        (1,482)

  Cash at beginning of period                              13,430          2,944
                                                        ---------      ---------
  Cash at end of period                                 $   1,050      $   1,462
                                                        =========      =========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



Page  7




                   HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES
                                  (UNAUDITED)

                  NOTES  TO  CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS

1  -  Basis  of  Presentation

     The  financial  information  for  the  interim  periods  included herein is
unaudited;  however,  such  information  reflects all adjustments (consisting of
only  normal  recurring  adjustments)  which  are, in the opinion of management,
necessary  to  a  fair  presentation  of  the  financial  position,  results  of
operations,  and  cash flows for the interim periods.  The results of operations
for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for
the  full  year.

     These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements  and  notes  for  the  year  ended  December 31, 2003 included in the
Company's  2003  Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on  Form  10-K.

     The  affiliate  transaction  disclosures  on  the  face  of  the  financial
statements  are  in  regards  to transactions with Harleysville Mutual Insurance
Company (Mutual).  Mutual owns approximately 57% of the outstanding common stock
of  Harleysville  Group  Inc.  As  used  herein,  "Harleysville Group" refers to
Harleysville  Group  Inc.  and  Subsidiaries.


Policy  Acquisition  Costs

     Policy  acquisition  costs,  such as commissions, premium taxes and certain
other  underwriting  and agency expenses that vary with and are directly related
to  the  production  of  business, are deferred and amortized over the effective
period  of  the  related  insurance  policies  and in proportion to the premiums
earned.  The  method  followed  in  computing  deferred policy acquisition costs
limits  the  amount  of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value.
The  estimation  of  net  realizable  value takes into account the premium to be
earned,  related investment income over the claim paying period, losses and loss
settlement  expenses,  and  certain  other  costs expected to be incurred as the
premium  is  earned.  Future changes in estimates, the most significant of which
is  expected  losses  and  loss  settlement expenses, may require adjustments to
deferred  policy  acquisition  costs.  If the estimation of net realizable value
indicates  that  the  acquisition  costs are unrecoverable, further analyses are
completed  to  determine if a reserve is required to provide for losses that may
exceed  the  related  unearned  premiums.


Stock-Based  Compensation

     Stock-based  compensation  plans  are accounted for under the provisions of
Accounting  Principles  Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued
to  Employees,"  and  related  interpretations.  Accordingly,  no  compensation
expense  is  recognized


Page  8




                   HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES
                                  (UNAUDITED)

                  NOTES  TO  CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS
                                  (Continued)

for  fixed stock option grants and an employee stock purchase plan. Compensation
expense  would  be  recorded  on  the  date  of a stock option grant only if the
current  market  price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price.  The
following  table  illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share as
if  the provisions of statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123
(as  amended  by  SFAS  No. 148), "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," had
been  applied  for  the  three  and  six  months  ended  June 30, 2004 and 2003:






                               FOR THE THREE MONTHS        FOR THE SIX MONTHS
                                  ENDED JUNE 30,             ENDED JUNE 30,
                                 2004        2003            2004      2003
                               --------    --------        --------   --------
                                                 (in thousands,
                                              except per share data)

                                                           
Net income, as reported         $9,728     $10,068         $26,221     $ 6,828
Plus:
  Stock-based employee
    compensation expense
    (benefit) included
    in reported net
    income, net of
    related tax effects             11        (657)             54        (456)

Less:
  Total stock-based
    employee compensation
    benefit (expense)
    determined under
    fair value based
    method for all
    awards, net of
    related tax effects           (703)          3          (1,452)     (1,085)
                                ------     -------         -------     -------

Pro forma net income            $9,036     $ 9,414         $24,823     $ 5,287
                                ======     =======         =======     =======

Basic earnings
  per share:
    As reported                 $  .32     $   .33         $   .88     $   .23
    Pro forma                   $  .30     $   .31         $   .83     $   .18

Diluted earnings
  per share:
    As reported                 $  .32     $   .33         $   .87     $   .23
    Pro forma                   $  .30     $   .31         $   .83     $   .17




Page  9




                   HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES
                                  (UNAUDITED)

                  NOTES  TO  CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS
                                  (Continued)

2  -  Earnings  Per  Share

     The  computation  of  basic  and  diluted earnings per share is as follows:





                              FOR THE THREE MONTHS           FOR THE SIX MONTHS
                                 ENDED JUNE 30,                 ENDED JUNE 30,
                               2004         2003              2004        2003
                            ----------   ----------        ---------    --------
                                            (in thousands, except
                                               per share data)
                                                            
Numerator for basic
  and diluted earnings
  per share:
    Net income                $ 9,728      $10,068          $26,221     $ 6,828
                              =======      =======          =======     =======
Denominator for basic
  earnings per share --
  weighted average
  shares outstanding           29,960       30,077           29,960      30,032

Effect of stock
  incentive plans                  68          271               85         274
                              -------      -------          -------     -------
Denominator for
  diluted earnings
  per share                    30,028       30,348           30,045      30,306
                              =======      =======          =======     =======
Basic earnings
  per share                   $   .32      $   .33          $   .88     $   .23
                              =======      =======          =======     =======
Diluted earnings
  per share                   $   .32      $   .33          $   .87     $   .23
                              =======      =======          =======     =======



     The  following options to purchase shares of common stock were not included
in  the  computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise price of
the  options  was  greater  than  the  average  market  price:

                     FOR  THE  THREE  MONTHS    FOR  THE  SIX  MONTHS
                         ENDED  JUNE  30,         ENDED  JUNE  30,
                         2004       2003          2004       2003
                       -------    -------       --------   --------
                                     (in  thousands)

Number  of  options     2,127      1,129         1,635       1,129
                        =====      =====         =====       =====


Page  10




                   HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES
                                  (UNAUDITED)

                  NOTES  TO  CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS
                                  (Continued)

3  -  Reinsurance

     Premiums earned are net of amounts ceded of $22,479,000 and $44,057,000 for
the  three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively, and $18,060,000 and
$34,460,000  for  the  three  and  six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively.
Losses  and  loss settlement expenses are net of amounts ceded of $5,562,000 and
$39,716,000  for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively, and
$19,641,000  and  $37,506,000  for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003,
respectively.  Such  amounts  ceded  do not include the reinsurance transactions
with  Mutual under the pooling arrangement (described below) which are reflected
on  the  face  of  the  income  statements,  but  do  include  reinsurance  with
unaffiliated  reinsurers  and  the  reinsurance  described  in  the  following
paragraph.

     Harleysville  Group  has a reinsurance agreement with Mutual whereby Mutual
reinsures  accumulated  catastrophe  losses  in  a  quarter up to $14,400,000 in
excess  of  $3,600,000  in  return  for  a  reinsurance  premium.  The agreement
excludes catastrophe losses resulting from earthquakes, terrorism or hurricanes,
and  supplements  the  existing  external  catastrophe  reinsurance  program.
Harleysville  Group ceded to Mutual premiums earned of $2,263,000 and $2,216,000
and  losses  incurred  of  $(816,000) and $1,018,000, for the three months ended
June  30,  2004  and  2003,  respectively.  Harleysville  Group  ceded to Mutual
premiums earned of $4,260,000 and $4,240,000 and losses incurred of $984,000 and
$4,774,000  for  the  six  months  ended  June  30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

     Pursuant  to the terms of a reinsurance pooling agreement with Mutual, each
of  the insurance subsidiaries of Harleysville Group Inc. cedes premiums, losses
and  expenses  on  all  of  their  respective business to Mutual which, in turn,
retrocedes  to  such  subsidiaries  a  specified portion of premiums, losses and
expenses  of  Mutual  and  such  subsidiaries.  Because  this agreement does not
relieve Harleysville Group Inc.'s insurance subsidiaries of primary liability as
originating  insurers,  there  is  a  concentration  of credit risk arising from
business  ceded  to Mutual.  However, the reinsurance pooling agreement provides
for  the  right  of offset. Mutual has an A. M. Best rating of "A-" (Excellent).


Page  11




                   HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES
                                  (UNAUDITED)

                  NOTES  TO  CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS
                                  (Continued)

4  -  Cash  Flows

     There  were  net  cash  tax  payments  of  $4,282,000 and $500,000 and cash
interest  payments  of $3,071,000 and $2,740,000 in the first six months of 2004
and  2003,  respectively.

5  -  Segment  Information

     The  performance  of  the  personal lines and commercial lines is evaluated
based  upon  underwriting  results  as  determined  under  statutory  accounting
practices  (SAP).

     Financial  data  by  segment  is  as  follows:






                                 FOR THE THREE MONTHS          FOR THE SIX MONTHS
                                    ENDED JUNE 30,                ENDED JUNE 30,
                                   2004         2003            2004         2003
                                 --------     ---------       --------     --------
                                                     (in thousands)
Revenues:
                                                               
  Premiums earned:
    Commercial lines             $163,791      $154,118       $326,111     $302,867
    Personal lines                 43,861        49,637         88,489       99,717
                                 --------      --------       --------     --------
      Total premiums earned       207,652       203,755        414,600      402,584
  Net investment income            21,437        21,649         43,079       43,096
  Realized investment
    gains (losses)                     59            67         12,547         (366)
  Other                             3,671         4,073          8,235        8,593
                                 --------      --------       --------     --------

Total revenues                   $232,819      $229,544       $478,461     $453,907
                                 ========      ========       ========     ========
Income before income taxes:
  Underwriting gain (loss):
    Commercial lines             $(16,358)     $ (8,767)      $(26,006)    $(36,773)
    Personal lines                     10        (7,848)        (4,850)     (15,742)
                                 --------      --------       --------     --------
      SAP underwriting loss       (16,348)      (16,615)       (30,856)     (52,515)
  GAAP adjustments                  4,865         4,925          4,885        9,021
                                 --------      --------       --------     --------
      GAAP underwriting loss      (11,483)      (11,690)       (25,971)     (43,494)
  Net investment income            21,437        21,649         43,079       43,096
  Realized investment
    gains (losses)                     59            67         12,547         (366)
  Other                               839         1,504          2,407        3,419
                                 --------      --------       --------     --------

Income before income taxes       $ 10,852      $ 11,530       $ 32,062     $  2,655
                                 ========      ========       ========     ========



Page  12




                   HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES
                                  (UNAUDITED)

                  NOTES  TO  CONSOLIDATED  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS
                                  (Continued)

6  -  Comprehensive  Income

     Comprehensive  income  for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and
2003  consisted  of  the  following  (all  amounts  are  net  of  taxes):





                                FOR THE THREE MONTHS     FOR THE SIX MONTHS
                                    ENDED JUNE 30,         ENDED JUNE 30,
                                  2004        2003          2004       2003
                                --------     --------     --------    --------
                                                (in thousands)
                                                            
Net income                      $  9,728     $10,068       $ 26,221     $ 6,828
Other comprehensive
 income (loss):
  Unrealized investment
    holding gains (losses)
    arising during period        (25,322)     21,042        (14,601)     16,922
Less:
  Reclassification
    adjustment for (gains)
    losses included
    in net income                    (38)        (10)        (8,131)        430
                                --------     -------       --------     -------
Net unrealized investment
   gains (losses)                (25,360)     21,032        (22,732)     17,352
                                --------     -------       --------     -------
Comprehensive income (loss)     $(15,632)    $31,100       $  3,489     $24,180
                                ========     =======       ========     =======



7  -  Pension

     Harleysville  Group  Inc.  has a pension plan that covers substantially all
full-time  employees.  The  net  periodic  pension  cost  for the plan including
Mutual  consists  of  the  following  components:






                                FOR THE THREE MONTHS     FOR THE SIX MONTHS
                                   ENDED JUNE 30,           ENDED JUNE 30,
                                  2004        2003         2004        2003
                                --------    --------     --------    --------
                                               (in thousands)
                                                         
Components of net
 periodic pension cost:
  Service cost                  $ 1,992     $ 1,659      $ 3,985     $ 3,317
  Interest cost                   2,770       2,508        5,540       5,015
  Expected return on
    plan assets                  (3,020)     (2,485)      (6,040)     (4,971)
  Recognized net
    actuarial loss                  517          12        1,035          25
  Amortization of prior
    service cost                     53          58          105         116
  Net transition amortization        13          13           25          27
                                -------     -------      -------     -------
Net periodic pension cost:
  Entire plan                   $ 2,325     $ 1,765      $ 4,650     $ 3,529
                                =======     =======      =======     =======
  Harleysville Group portion    $ 1,536     $ 1,241      $ 3,069     $ 2,453
                                =======     =======      =======     =======



Page  13




                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                  (UNAUDITED)

                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (Continued)

     Harleysville  Group's  expected  portion  of  the  2004 contribution to the
pension plan is $6,600,000, of which $1,980,000 was made in the first six months
of  2004.

8  -  Shareholders'  Equity

     Various  states  have  adopted  the  National  Association  of  Insurance
Commissioners  (NAIC)  risk-based capital (RBC) standards that require insurance
companies to calculate and report statutory capital and surplus needs based on a
formula  measuring underwriting, investment and other business risks inherent in
an  individual  company's operations.  These RBC standards have not affected the
operations  of  Harleysville  Group  since  each  of  the  Company's  insurance
subsidiaries  has  statutory  capital and surplus in excess of RBC requirements.

     These  RBC  standards  require the calculation of a ratio of total adjusted
capital  to  Authorized  Control  Level.  Insurers  with  a ratio below 200% are
subject  to  different levels of regulatory intervention and action.  Based upon
their  2003  statutory financial statements, the ratio of total adjusted capital
to the Authorized Control Level for the Company's nine insurance subsidiaries at
December  31,  2003  ranged  from  478%  to  609%.


Page  14




                   HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM  2.       MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  RESULTS
                    OF  OPERATIONS  AND  FINANCIAL  CONDITION

     Certain  of  the  statements  contained  herein  (other  than statements of
historical  facts)  are  forward  looking  statements.  Such  forward  looking
statements  are  made  pursuant  to  the  safe  harbor provisions of the Private
Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995 and include estimates and assumptions
related  to  economic,  competitive  and legislative developments. These forward
looking  statements  are  subject  to  change and uncertainty which are, in many
instances,  beyond  the  Company's  control  and  have  been  made  based  upon
management's  expectations  and beliefs concerning future developments and their
potential  effect  on  Harleysville Group. There can be no assurance that future
developments  will  be  in accordance with management's expectations so that the
effect of future developments on Harleysville Group will be those anticipated by
management.  Actual  financial results including premium growth and underwriting
results  could  differ  materially  from those anticipated by Harleysville Group
depending  on  the  outcome  of  certain  factors,  which may include changes in
property  and casualty loss trends and reserves; catastrophe losses; competition
in  insurance  product  pricing; government regulation and changes therein which
may  impede  the  ability to charge adequate rates; performance of the financial
markets;  fluctuations in interest rates; availability and price of reinsurance;
and  the  status  of  labor  markets  in  which  the  Company  operates.


Overview

     The  Company's  net  income  is  primarily  determined  by  three elements:

      -  net  premium  income

      -  investment  income

      -  amounts  paid  or  reserved  to  settle  insured  claims

     A  number  of  factors  may  affect the level of premium income, including:

      -  limitations  on  rates  arising  from  the  competitive  market  place
         or  regulation

      -  limitation  on  available  business  arising  from  a need to maintain
         the  quality  of  underwritten  risks

      -  the  Company's ability to maintain its A-("excellent") rating by
         A.M. Best

      -  the  ability  of  the  Company to maintain a reputation for efficiency
         and  fairness  in  claims  administration


Page  15




                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

               MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  RESULTS
                   OF  OPERATIONS  AND  FINANCIAL  CONDITION
                                  (Continued)


     A  number  of factors may affect the level of investment income, including:

      -  general  interest  rate  levels

      -  specific  adverse events affecting the issuers of debt obligations
         held  by  the  Company

      -  changes in the prices of equity securities generally and those held
         by  the  Company  specifically

     Loss  and  loss  settlement  expenses  are affected by a number of factors,
including:

      -  the  quality  of  the  risks  underwritten  by  the  Company

      -  the  nature  and  severity  of  catastrophic  losses

      -  the  availability,  cost  and  terms  of  reinsurance

      -  underlying  settlement  costs,  including  medical  and  legal  costs

     The  Company seeks to manage each of the foregoing to the extent within its
control.  Many  of  the foregoing factors are partially, or entirely, outside of
the  control  of  the  Company.


Critical  Accounting  Policies  and  Estimates

     The  consolidated  financial  statements  are  prepared  in conformity with
accounting  principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which
require  Harleysville Group to make estimates and assumptions (see Note 1 of the
Notes  to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2003
included  in  the  Company's  2003  Annual  Report filed with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  on  Form  10-K).  Harleysville  Group believes that of its
significant  accounting  policies,  the following may involve a higher degree of
judgment  and  estimation.  The  judgments,  or  the  methodology  on  which the
judgments  are  made,  are  reviewed  quarterly  with  the  Audit  Committee.

     Liabilities  for  Losses  and  Loss Settlement Expenses.  The liability for
losses  and loss settlement expenses represents estimates of the ultimate unpaid
cost of all losses incurred, including losses for claims which have not yet been
reported to Harleysville Group.  The amount of loss reserves for reported claims
is  based  primarily  upon  a  case-by-case  evaluation  of  the


Page  16




                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

               MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  RESULTS
                    OF  OPERATIONS  AND  FINANCIAL  CONDITION
                                  (Continued)

type of risk involved, knowledge of the circumstances surrounding each claim and
the  insurance  policy  provisions relating to the type of loss.  The amounts of
loss  reserves  for  unreported  claims and loss settlement expense reserves are
determined  utilizing historical information by line of insurance as adjusted to
current  conditions.  Inflation  is  implicitly  provided  for  in the reserving
function  through  analysis of costs, trends and reviews of historical reserving
results.  Reserves  are  closely monitored and are recomputed periodically using
the  most  recent  information  on  reported claims and a variety of statistical
techniques.  It  is  expected  that such estimates will be more or less than the
amounts ultimately paid when the claims are settled.  Changes in these estimates
are  reflected  in  current  operations.

     Investments.  Generally,  unrealized  investment  gains  or  losses  on
investments carried at fair value, net of applicable income taxes, are reflected
directly  in  shareholders'  equity  as a component of comprehensive income and,
accordingly,  have  no  effect  on net income.  However, if the fair value of an
investment  declines  below  its  cost  and  that  decline  is deemed other than
temporary,  the  amount  of  the  decline  below  cost  is  charged to earnings.
Harleysville  Group  monitors  its  investment  portfolio  and quarterly reviews
investments that have experienced a decline in fair value below cost to evaluate
whether  the  decline is other than temporary.  Such evaluations consider, among
other  things, the magnitude and reasons for a decline and the prospects for the
fair  value  to  recover  in  the  near  term.  Future adverse investment market
conditions, or poor operating results of underlying investments, could result in
an  impairment  charge  in  the  future.

     Harleysville  Group  evaluates  its  investment  portfolio  quarterly  to
determine  if  a  decline  in  fair  value  below  cost is other than temporary.
Harleysville Group has written down to fair value, without exception, any equity
security  that  has  declined  below  cost  by more than 20% and maintained such
decline  for  six months, or by 50% or more, in the quarter in which either such
decline  occurred.  In  some  cases,  securities  that have declined by a lesser
amount  or  for  a  shorter  period  of  time are written down if the evaluation
indicates  the  decline  is  other-than-temporary.  The  fair  value  of  equity
securities  is based on the closing market value as reported by a national stock
exchange  or  Nasdaq.  The  fair  value  of  fixed maturities is based upon data
supplied  by  an  independent pricing service.  It can be difficult to determine
the  fair  value  of non-traded securities but Harleysville Group does not own a
material  amount  of  non-traded  securities.


Page  17




                   HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES

               MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  RESULTS
                    OF  OPERATIONS  AND  FINANCIAL  CONDITION
                                  (Continued)

     Policy  Acquisition  Costs.  Policy acquisition costs, such as commissions,
premium  taxes and certain other underwriting and agency expenses that vary with
and  are  directly  related  to  the  production  of  business, are deferred and
amortized  over  the  effective  period of the related insurance policies and in
proportion  to  the  premiums earned.  The method followed in computing deferred
policy  acquisition  costs  limits  the  amount  of such deferred costs to their
estimated  realizable  value.  The estimation of net realizable value takes into
account  the  premium  to  be  earned,  related investment income over the claim
paying  period,  losses  and  loss  settlement expenses, and certain other costs
expected  to  be incurred as the premium is earned. Future changes in estimates,
the  most  significant of which is expected losses and loss settlement expenses,
may require adjustments to deferred policy acquisition costs.  If the estimation
of  net realizable value indicates that the acquisition costs are unrecoverable,
further  analyses are completed to determine if a reserve is required to provide
for  losses  that  may  exceed  the  related  unearned  premiums.

     Contingencies.  Besides  claims  related  to  its  insurance  products,
Harleysville  Group is subject to proceedings, lawsuits and claims in the normal
course  of  business.  Harleysville Group assesses the likelihood of any adverse
outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses.  There
can be no assurance that actual outcomes will not differ from those assessments.

     The  application  of  certain  of these critical accounting policies to the
periods  ended  June  30,  2004  and  2003 is discussed in greater detail below.


Results  of  Operations

     Premiums  earned  increased $3.9 million and $12.0 million during the three
and  six  months  ended June 30, 2004, respectively. The increases are primarily
due  to  increases  in  premiums earned for commercial lines of $9.7 million and
$23.2  million,  respectively, partially offset by decreases of $5.8 million and
$11.2  million  in  personal  lines premiums earned for the three and six months
ended  June  30,  2004,  respectively.  The  increases  in  premiums  earned for
commercial  lines were 6.3% and 7.7% for the three and six months ended June 30,
2004,  respectively,  primarily  due  to  higher rates partially offset by fewer
policy  counts.  The  decline  in  policy  counts  was  primarily in the workers
compensation  line  of  business.  The  declines in premiums earned for personal
lines  were  11.6%  and  11.3%  for  the  three  and  six  months  ended  June


Page  18




                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  RESULTS
                    OF  OPERATIONS  AND  FINANCIAL  CONDITION
                                  (Continued)

30,  2004, respectively, primarily due to fewer policy counts.  The reduction in
personal lines volume was driven primarily by a reduction of personal automobile
business  from  the  continued  implementation  of  more  stringent underwriting
processes.

     Investment  income  decreased  $0.2 million for the three months ended June
30,  2004  as  compared  to  the same period in the prior year, resulting from a
lower  yield  on  the fixed maturity investment portfolio partially offset by an
increase in invested assets. Investment income was essentially unchanged for the
six months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same period in the prior year.

     Realized  investment  gains  (losses)  increased  $12.9 million for the six
months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the same period in the prior year, and
were  essentially  unchanged  for  the  three  months  ended June 30, 2004.  The
six-month  increase  primarily  resulted  from  gains  on the sale of two equity
securities  in  the  first  quarter  of  2004.


     Harleysville Group holds securities with unrealized losses at June 30, 2004
as  follows:







                                                           LENGTH OF UNREALIZED LOSS
                                                           -------------------------
                                         UNREALIZED         LESS THAN      OVER 12
                           FAIR VALUE       LOSS            12 MONTHS       MONTHS
                          -----------    ----------        ----------      -------
                                               (in thousands)
                                                               
Fixed maturities:
 U.S. Treasury
  securities and
  obligations of
  U.S. government
  corporations
  and agencies            $109,309       $ 2,748           $ 2,748

 Obligations of
  states and
  political
  subdivisions             214,419         4,658             3,423         $1,235

 Corporate
  securities               116,339         5,799             2,942          2,857

 Mortgage-backed
  securities                55,517         1,378             1,378
                          --------       -------           -------         ------
 Total fixed
  maturities              $495,584       $14,583           $10,491         $4,092
                          ========       =======           =======         ======

 Equity securities        $  8,118       $   953           $   953         $  -
                          ========       =======           =======         ======



Page  19




                   HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES

               MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  RESULTS
                    OF  OPERATIONS  AND  FINANCIAL  CONDITION
                                  (Continued)

     Of  the total fixed maturity securities with an unrealized loss at June 30,
2004,  securities  with a fair value of $330.2 million and an unrealized loss of
$10.6 million are classified as available for sale and are carried at fair value
on the balance sheet while securities with a fair value of $165.4 million and an
unrealized  loss  of  $4.0  million  are  classified  as held to maturity on the
balance  sheet  and  are  carried  at  amortized  cost.

     There  are  four  positions  that  comprise  the  unrealized loss in equity
investments  at June 30, 2004.  While one of these positions has been below cost
for  more  than six months, it has had volatile price movements and has not been
significantly  below  cost  for  significant  continuous  amounts  of  time.
Harleysville  Group has been monitoring these securities and it is possible that
some  may  be  written  down  in  the  income  statement  in  the  future.

     There  are  $47.5  million in fixed maturity securities, at amortized cost,
that at June 30, 2004, had been below amortized cost for over 12 months.  Of the
$4.1  million  of  unrealized losses on such securities, $1.2 million relates to
obligations  of  states  and political subdivisions which carry A or higher debt
ratings  and  have  declined  in fair value roughly in line with market interest
rate  changes.  The remaining $2.9 million of unrealized losses are comprised of
airline  enhanced  equipment  trust  certificates  (EETC)  as  follows:






                                      FAIR      MATURITY
                        COST         VALUE        DATES
                       -------      -------    -----------
                               (in thousands)
                                      
American Airlines      $14,371      $12,834         2011
United Airlines          6,956        5,636    2010-2012
                       -------      -------
                       $21,327      $18,470
                       =======      =======



     After  the  events of September 11, 2001, air travel and the value of these
airlines'  EETC  securities  declined.  The  EETCs are all "A tranche" holdings,
which  means  they  are  in  a senior credit position to the underlying airplane
collateral  value  as  compared  to  B  and  C  tranche holders.  At the time of
issuance, the collateral was appraised at approximately twice the value of the A
tranche  EETCs.  Recent  estimates  indicate that in a distressed sale scenario,
the  value of the collateral would be approximately the same as the EETCs' cost.
At  June  30,  2004,  the American Airlines EETCs carry an investment grade debt
rating  and  the  market  value of both issuers has improved over the past year.
Harleysville  Group  is participating in certain EETC creditor committees and is
monitoring  developments. It is possible that these EETCs may be written down in
the  income  statement in the future, depending upon developments involving both
the  issuers  and  world  events  which  impact  the  level  of  air  travel.


Page  20




                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

               MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  RESULTS
                    OF  OPERATIONS  AND  FINANCIAL  CONDITION
                                  (Continued)

     Income  before  income  taxes  decreased  $0.7 million for the three months
ended  June  30,  2004 compared to the same prior year period.  The decrease was
primarily  due  to  the decrease in investment income and other income partially
offset by a lower underwriting loss.  Income before income taxes increased $29.4
million  for  the six months ended June 30, 2004 compared to the same prior year
period.  The  increase  was  primarily  due  to a lower underwriting loss and by
greater  realized  investment gains. The lesser six months underwriting loss was
primarily  due  to lower catastrophe losses, lesser loss severity and a decrease
in  the  provision  for  insured  events  in prior years.  The net provision for
insured  events  in  prior  years  consists of $3.0 million and $22.1 million of
adverse development ($19.9 million in the workers compensation line in the first
quarter  of 2003) for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

     An  insurance  company's  statutory combined ratio is a standard measure of
underwriting  profitability.  This ratio is the sum of (1) the ratio of incurred
losses  and  loss  settlement  expenses  to net earned premium; (2) the ratio of
expenses  incurred  for  commissions,  premium  taxes,  administrative and other
underwriting  expenses to net written premium; and (3) the ratio of dividends to
policyholders  to  net  earned  premium.  The  combined  ratio  does not reflect
investment  income,  federal  income  taxes  or  other  non-operating  income or
expense.  A  ratio  of  less  than  100 percent generally indicates underwriting
profitability.  Harleysville  Group's  statutory  combined  ratio  increased  to
105.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2004 from 105.2% for the three months
ended June 30, 2003.  Such increase was due to a higher statutory combined ratio
in  commercial  lines  partially  offset  by a lower statutory combined ratio in
personal  lines.  Harleysville  Group's  statutory  combined  ratio decreased to
106.3%  for  the  six  months ended June 30, 2004 from 110.2% for the six months
ended June 30, 2003.  Such decrease was due to a lower underwriting loss in both
commercial  lines  and  personal  lines.

     The  statutory  combined  ratios  by line of business for the three and six
months  ended  June 30, 2004, as compared to the three and six months ended June
30,  2003,  were  as  follows:


Page  21




                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

               MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  RESULTS
                    OF  OPERATIONS  AND  FINANCIAL  CONDITION
                                  (Continued)







                             FOR THE THREE MONTHS         FOR THE SIX MONTHS
                                 ENDED JUNE 30,              ENDED JUNE 30,
                              2004          2003          2004       2003
                             -------     --------       --------    -------
                                                        
Commercial:
 Automobile                  104.7%       94.4%         103.9%       95.1%
 Workers compensation        122.2%      120.9%         122.5%      157.1%
 Commercial multi-peril      105.5%      105.1%         105.3%      102.0%
 Other commercial             95.4%       78.4%          88.5%       81.0%
   Total commercial          106.7%      101.7%         105.7%      107.8%

Personal:
 Automobile                  110.9%      116.1%         114.6%      116.8%
 Homeowners                   86.0%      113.9%          97.6%      118.7%
 Other personal               83.6%      123.8%         112.3%      118.8%
   Total personal            100.6%      115.8%         108.4%      117.5%
     Total personal and
       commercial            105.4%      105.2%         106.3%      110.2%



     The  following  table  presents  the  liability  for unpaid losses and loss
settlement  expenses  by  major  line  of  business:





                                        JUNE 30,       DECEMBER 31,
                                          2004            2003
                                       ----------      -----------
                                               (in thousands)
                                                 
Commercial:
  Automobile                            $  234,072     $  228,356
  Workers compensation                     296,011        294,750
  Commercial multi-peril                   342,212        320,607
  Other commercial                          63,446         59,042
                                        ----------     ----------
    Total commercial                       935,741        902,755
                                        ----------     ----------
Personal:
  Automobile                               109,081        117,034
  Homeowners                                39,416         41,264
  Other personal                             1,528          1,607
                                        ----------     ----------
    Total personal                         150,025        159,905
                                        ----------     ----------
      Total personal and commercial      1,085,766      1,062,660

Plus reinsurance recoverables              167,517        157,317
                                        ----------     ----------

  Total liability                       $1,253,283     $1,219,977
                                        ==========     ==========



Page  22




                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

               MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  RESULTS
                   OF  OPERATIONS  AND  FINANCIAL  CONDITION
                                  (Continued)

     The  commercial  lines statutory combined ratio increased to 106.7% for the
three months ended June 30, 2004 from 101.7% for the three months ended June 30,
2003  primarily  due  to higher losses in commercial automobile.  The commercial
lines statutory combined ratio decreased to 105.7% for the six months ended June
30,  2004 from 107.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2003 due to lower losses
in  workers  compensation  partially  offset  by  higher  losses  in  commercial
automobile  and  commercial  multi-peril.

     The  net  $3.0  million provision for insured events in prior years for the
six months ended June 30, 2004 was net of $7.1 million of adverse development in
commercial  automobile  ($4.0  million  in the second quarter of 2004) which was
partially  offset  by  favorable  development  in  other commercial and personal
lines.  The commercial automobile adverse development was primarily attributable
to  the 1999 to 2001 accident years due to loss severity trends that were higher
than  the  adverse  trends  noted in this line in recent quarters.  These trends
included  an increase in litigation on bodily injury cases and a slowing rate of
settlement.  The  favorable  development  primarily was attributable to the 2003
accident  year.

     Of  the  $19.9  million  of  first  quarter 2003 adverse development in the
provision  for  insured  events  in  prior  years in workers compensation, $16.7
million  was attributable to the 1998 to 2001 accident years and the balance was
attributable to other accident years.  Such adverse development represented 8.6%
of  the  December  31, 2002 workers compensation net liability for unpaid losses
and  loss  settlement  expenses.

     Harleysville  Group  had  publicly noted adverse loss trends in its workers
compensation  line  for several quarters during 2002 and 2003.  These trends are
consistent with the experience of other companies writing this coverage, many of
which  have,  during  the  past  two  years, made substantial additions to their
reserves  for  insured  events  in  prior  years in this line of insurance.  The
change  in  loss  development  patterns  in  2003  was influenced by a number of
factors.  The  reorganization of Harleysville Group's claims operations resulted
in  more  proactive  claims  management  which,  in  turn,  provided  more
contemporaneous  loss estimates.  In addition, economic conditions have hampered
the ability to return injured workers to employment thus extending the estimated
length  of  disabilities  and  medical  loss  cost  trends  have  increased.

     The  following  table presents workers compensation claim count information
for  the  total  pooled  business  in  which Harleysville Group participates and
payment amounts which are Harleysville Group's pooling share of the total pooled
amounts.


Page  23




                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

               MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  RESULTS
                   OF  OPERATIONS  AND  FINANCIAL  CONDITION
                                  (Continued)






                                 FOR THE SIX MONTHS      FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                 ENDED JUNE 30, 2004     DECEMBER 31, 2003
                                 -------------------     ------------------
                                          (dollars in thousands)
                                                       
Number of claims pending,
  beginning period                       8,005                  8,900
Number of claims reported                5,453                 12,952
Number of claims settled or
  dismissed                             (5,990)               (13,847)
                                       -------               --------
Number of claims pending,
  end of period                          7,468                  8,005
                                       =======               ========

Losses paid                            $37,010               $ 82,003
Loss settlement expenses paid          $ 7,957               $ 16,465



     Workers  compensation  losses  primarily  consist  of indemnity and medical
costs for injured workers.  The reduction in claim counts reflects the impact of
a  reduction  in  workers  compensation exposure as policy counts have declined.

     Harleysville  Group  records  the  actuarial  best estimate of the ultimate
unpaid  losses  and  loss settlement expenses incurred and does not determine an
estimated  possible  range  of  loss.  Actuarial  loss  reserving techniques and
assumptions, which rely on historical information as adjusted to reflect current
conditions, have been consistently applied during the periods presented. Changes
in  the estimate of the liability for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses
reflect  actual  payments  and evaluations of new information and data since the
last  reporting  date.  These  changes  correlate  with  actuarial  trends.

     Because of the nature of insurance claims, there are uncertainties inherent
in  the  estimates of ultimate losses.  The aforementioned reorganization of the
claims  operation  has resulted in new people and processes involved in settling
claims.  As  a  result, more recent statistical data reflects different patterns
than  in  the past and give rise to uncertainty as to the pattern of future loss
settlements.  Litigation  on  bodily injury liability cases has increased during
the  past  two  years  while  the  rate of settlement has slowed.  These changed
patterns  give  rise  to  greater  uncertainty  as to the pattern of future loss
settlements  on  bodily  injury  liability  claims.  There  are  uncertainties
regarding future loss cost trends particularly related to medical treatments and
automobile  repair.  Court decisions, regulatory changes and economic conditions
can  affect  the ultimate cost of claims that occurred in the past. Accordingly,
the  ultimate  liability  for  unpaid  losses  and loss settlement expenses will
likely differ from the amount recorded at June 30, 2004.  For every 1% change in
the  estimate,  the  effect  on  pre-tax  income  would  be  $10.9  million.


Page  24




                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

               MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  RESULTS
                   OF  OPERATIONS  AND  FINANCIAL  CONDITION
                                  (Continued)

     The  property  and  casualty  industry  has  had substantial aggregate loss
experience  from  claims  related  to  asbestos-related illnesses, environmental
remediation,  product  liability,  mold,  and  other  uncertain  exposures.
Harleysville  Group  has  not  experienced  significant losses from such claims.

     The  personal lines statutory combined ratio decreased to 100.6% and 108.4%
for  the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 from 115.8% and 117.5% for the
three  and  six months ended June 30, 2003.  The decreases primarily were due to
generally  lower  loss  frequency,  lesser catastrophe losses which affected the
homeowners  line  and  a  $0.7  million  benefit to personal automobile from the
settlement  of  a  dispute  in  the  second  quarter  of  2004.

     Net  catastrophe  losses decreased $2.3 million and $3.3 million and losses
ceded  under  the  aggregate  catastrophe  reinsurance  agreement  with  Mutual
decreased  $1.8 million and $3.8 million for the three and six months ended June
30,  2004,  respectively,  due  to less severe catastrophes in the 2004 periods.

     A  $0.7 million severance charge was incurred during the three months ended
June  30,  2004  related  to  the consolidation of 80 jobs.  This reduction will
result  in  estimated  annual  savings  of approximately $3.1 million when it is
completed  in  the  second  half  of  2004.  An  additional net 60 positions are
planned  to  be  eliminated  through  attrition  in  2004.

     The  income  tax  expense  for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004
includes  a  tax  benefit  of  $2.7  million  and  $5.4  million associated with
tax-exempt  interest compared to $2.6 million and $5.1 million in the same prior
year  periods.

     Effective  for  one  year from July 1, 2004, the Company's subsidiaries and
Mutual  and  its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries renewed its catastrophe reinsurance
which  provides  coverage  ranging  from 85.0% to 95.0% of up to $155 million in
excess  of  a  retention  of  $30  million  for  any given catastrophe excluding
terrorism for commercial lines.  Harleysville Group's 2004 pooling share of this
coverage  would range from 85.0% to 95.0% of up to $111.6 million in excess of a
retention  of $21.6 million for any given catastrophe.  Pursuant to the terms of
the  treaty,  the  maximum  recovery would be $142.2 million for any catastrophe
involving  an  insured  loss equal to or greater than $185 million. Harleysville
Group's  2004 pooling share of this maximum recovery would be $102.4 million for
any catastrophe involving an insured loss of $133 million or greater. The treaty
includes  reinstatement  provisions  providing  for  coverage  for  a  second
catastrophe  and  requiring  payment  of an additional premium in the event of a
first


Page  25




                   HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES

               MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  RESULTS
                   OF  OPERATIONS  AND  FINANCIAL  CONDITION
                                  (Continued)

catastrophe  occurring.  Harleysville  Group  and Mutual have purchased property
per  risk  excess  of loss reinsurance which covers certain terrorism losses and
provides  for  recovery  of  up  to  $8.5  million  in excess of $1.5 million of
terrorism  losses  for  any  one  risk  under certain circumstances. The maximum
recovery  by  Harleysville Group on a terrorism loss occurrence is $8.6 million.


Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources

     Operating  activities  provided $23.9 million and $59.2 million of net cash
for  the  six  months  ended  June  30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  The change
primarily  is  from  lesser underwriting cash flow and a change in the amount of
accounts  payable  and  accrued  expenses.

     Investing  activities  used $27.0 million and $55.1 million of net cash for
the  six  months  ended  June  30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  The decrease is
primarily  due  to  lower net purchases of fixed maturity investments, partially
offset  by  an  increase  in  the  purchase  of  short-term  investments.

     Net  cash  used  by financing activities increased $3.7 million for the six
months  ended  June  30,  2004  compared  to  the six months ended June 30, 2003
primarily  due  to  a  decrease  in the issuance of common stock, an increase in
dividends  paid  and  by  the  purchase  of  treasury  stock in the 2003 period.

     Harleysville  Group  participates  in  a securities lending program whereby
certain  fixed  maturity  securities from the investment portfolio are loaned to
other  institutions for a short period of time in return for a fee.  At June 30,
2004,  Harleysville  Group  held  cash  collateral  of $145.5 million related to
securities  on  loan with a market value of $142.1 million. Harleysville Group's
policy  is  to  require initial collateral of 102% of the market value of loaned
securities  plus  accrued  interest, which is required to be maintained daily by
the  borrower  at  no  less than 100% of such market value plus accrued interest
over the life of the loan.  Acceptable collateral includes cash and money market
instruments,  government  securities,  A-rated  corporate obligations, AAA-rated
asset-backed  securities or GIC's and Funding Agreements from issuers rated A or
better.  The  securities  on  loan to others have been segregated from the other
invested  assets  on the balance sheet.  In addition, the assets and liabilities
have been grossed up to reflect the collateral held under the securities lending
program  and  the  obligation  to  return this collateral upon the return of the
loaned  securities.


Page26




                   HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES

               MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  RESULTS
                   OF  OPERATIONS  AND  FINANCIAL  CONDITION
                                  (Continued)

     Harleysville  Group  Inc.  maintained  $15.4 million of cash and marketable
securities  at  June  30, 2004 which is available for general corporate purposes
including  dividends,  debt  service,  capital  contributions  to  subsidiaries,
acquisitions  and  the  repurchase  of  stock.  The  Company has adopted a stock
purchase  plan  under  which  the  Company  may purchase up to 500,000 shares of
Harleysville  Group  Inc.  common stock.  Mutual has authorized purchases of the
common  shares  of  Harleysville Group in an equal amount.  As of June 30, 2004,
the  Company had repurchased 397,909 shares leaving 102,091 shares authorized to
be  repurchased.  The  Company  has  no  other  material commitments for capital
expenditures  as  of  June  30,  2004.


     RISK  FACTORS

     The  business, results of operations and financial condition, and therefore
the  value  of  the  Harleysville Group's securities, are subject to a number of
risks.  Some of those risks are set forth in the Company's annual report on Form
10-K  for fiscal year 2003, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March  12,  2004.


Page  27




                   HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM  3.            QUANTITATIVE  AND  QUALITATIVE  DISCLOSURE
                             ABOUT  MARKET  RISK

     Harleysville  Group's  market risk generally represents the risk of gain or
loss that may result from the potential change in the fair value of Harleysville
Group's  investment portfolio as a result of fluctuations in prices and interest
rates.  Harleysville  Group  attempts  to  manage  its  interest  rate  risk  by
maintaining  an  appropriate  relationship  between  the average duration of the
investment  portfolio  and  the  approximate  duration  of  its  liabilities.

     Harleysville  Group  has  maintained approximately the same duration of its
investment portfolio to its liabilities from December 31, 2003 to June 30, 2004.
In  addition,  the  Company has maintained approximately the same investment mix
during  this  period.


Page  28




                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM  4.                CONTROLS  AND  PROCEDURES

(a)     Evaluation  of  disclosure controls and procedures.  The Company's chief
        executive  officer  and  its  chief  financial  officer,  based on their
        evaluation  of  the  Company's disclosure  controls  and  procedures (as
        defined  in  Exchange  Act  Rule  13a-15(e))  have  concluded  that  the
        Company's   disclosure   controls   and  procedures   are  adequate  and
        effective  for  the  purposes  set  forth in the definition  thereof  in
        Exchange  Act  Rule  13a-15(e)  as  of  June  30, 2004.

(b)     Change  in  internal  control  over  financial  reporting.  There was no
        change  in the Company's  internal control over financial reporting that
        occurred during the second quarter of 2004 that has materially affected,
        or is reasonably likely  to materially  affect, the  Company's  internal
        control over  financial reporting except as noted in the next paragraph.

        During  2003, the Company reviewed the processes by  which case reserves
        for  loss  and loss settlement  expenses are estimated and whether those
        processes were  being  consistently  applied.  These  processes  are  an
        important element  in establishing aggregate  reserves.  Management took
        steps  in  2003  to improve  internal  controls  in this area, including
        hiring  a new  Senior  Vice  President to manage  the  claims  function,
        reducing  turnover  rates  in  the personnel engaged in estimating  case
        reserves   and  proactively  managing  the  effects  of  such  turnover,
        implementing refinements  in  the processes  which the  Company  follows
        in   estimating  these  reserves,  and  shifting the  internal  audit of
        compliance with  these  processes  from  an  internal auditor within the
        claims  department  to  the  Company's  regular  internal  audit  group.
        Management  expects  the effectiveness of  these  internal  controls  to
        continue to improve in 2004 as a result of these  actions  and,  as part
        of  our normal  actuarial  review process,  will  evaluate the impact of
        these  changes  on  a  regular  basis.


Page  29




                  HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES

                         PART  II.  OTHER  INFORMATION


ITEM 1.  Legal  Proceedings  -  None

ITEM 2.  Changes  in  Securities

         (e)  The  Company  announced a stock repurchase plan on March 3, 2003.
              The  Company  may  purchase  up to 500,000 shares of Harleysville
              Group Inc. common  stock.  The  plan  expires  February 26, 2005.
              As of June 30, 2004, the Company  had repurchased  397,909 shares
              leaving  102,091  shares  authorized  to  be  repurchased.  There
              was no activity in the plan during the six months ended  June 30,
              2004.

ITEM 3.  Defaults  Upon  Senior  Securities  -  None

ITEM 4.  Submission  of  Matters  to  a  Vote  of  Security  Holders  - None

         The  annual  meeting of  stockholders of Harleysville  Group Inc.  was
         held  on  April  28,  2004  (the "Annual Meeting" or "Meeting"),  with
         the following result:

         The  total  number  of shares represented  at  the  Annual  Meeting in
         person or  by proxy was 28,294,404 of the  29,994,013 shares of common
         stock outstanding and entitled  to  vote  at  the  Meeting.

         On  the resolution to elect  Lowell R. Beck and Joseph E. McMenamin as
         class "A"  Directors to serve until the expiration of their respective
         terms  and  until their successors  are duly elected, the nominees for
         Director  received  the  number of  votes  set  forth  opposite  their
         respective  names:

                                         Number  of  Votes
                                      -----------------------
                                          For        Withheld
                                      ----------     --------
          Lowell  R.  Beck            28,092,158      202,246
          Joseph  E.  McMenamin       27,865,819      428,585

          There  were no abstentions or broker  non-votes recorded. On the basis
          of  the  above  vote,  Lowell  R.  Beck  and  Joseph E. McMenamin were
          elected  as  class "A" Directors  to  serve  until  the  expiration of
          their respective terms and until their  successors are  duly  elected.

ITEM  5.  Other  Information  -  None


Page  30




                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        PART  II.  OTHER  INFORMATION
                                (Continued)


ITEM  6.  a.  Exhibits

            31.1  Certification  of  Chief  Executive  Officer Pursuant to Rule
                  13a-14(a)  of  the  Exchange  Act.

            31.2  Certification  of  Chief  Financial  Officer Pursuant to Rule
                  13a-14(a)  of  the  Exchange  Act.

            32.1  Certification  of  Chief  Executive  Officer  Pursuant  to 18
                  U.S.C.  1350,  as  Adopted  Pursuant  to  Section  906 of the
                  Sarbanes-Oxley Act of  2002.

            32.2  Certification  of  Chief  Financial  Officer  Pursuant  to 18
                  U.S.C.  1350,  as  Adopted  Pursuant  to  Section  906 of the
                  Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

          b.  Reports  on  Form  8-K

              A  Form 8-K dated April 30, 2004 was filed furnishing, under item
              12 of Form 8-K, financial results for  the first quarter of 2004.


Page  31




                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                         PART  II.  OTHER  INFORMATION
                               (Continued)



                               SIGNATURE

     Pursuant  to  the  requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has  duly  caused  this  report  to  be  signed on its behalf by the
undersigned  thereunto  duly  authorized.

                                         HARLEYSVILLE  GROUP  INC.

Date:   August  4,  2004                   /s/  BRUCE  J.  MAGEE
      --------------------              -----------------------------------
                                               Bruce  J.  Magee
                                        Senior  Vice  President  and
                                        Chief  Financial  Officer
                                        (principal  financial  officer  and
                                        principal  accounting  officer)


Page  32




EXHIBIT  (31.1)

                    CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO THE SECTION 302
                        OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I,  Michael  L.  Browne,  certify  that:

1.   I  have  reviewed the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Harleysville Group
     Inc.;

2.   Based  on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement
     of a  material  fact  or  omit to state a material fact necessary to make
     the  statements  made,  in  light  of the circumstances under which  such
     statements were made, not misleading with  respect to the  period covered
     by this report;

3.   Based  on  my  knowledge,  the  financial statements, and other financial
     information  included  in  this  report, fairly present  in all  material
     respects  the financial  conditions, results of operations and cash flows
     of  the  registrant  as of,  and  for,  the  periods  presented  in  this
     report;

4.   The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and I are responsible for
     establishing  and  maintaining  disclosure  controls  and  procedures (as
     defined in Exchange  Act  Rules  13a-15(e) and 15d(e)) for the registrant
     and  have:

     a)   Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and procedures, or caused such
          disclosure   controls  and  procedures  to  be  designed  under  our
          supervision, to  ensure  that  material  information relating to the
          registrant,  including its consolidated  subsidiaries, is made known
          to  us  by  others  within  those  entities, particularly during the
          period in  which  this  report  is  being  prepared;

     b)   Evaluated  the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls
          and  procedures  and  presented   in  this  report  our  conclusions
          about the effectiveness  of  the disclosure controls and procedures,
          as  of  the end  of the period  covered  by  this  report  based  on
          such  evaluation;  and

     c)   Disclosed  in  this  report  any change in the registrant's internal
          control   over   financial   reporting   that  occurred  during  the
          registrant's  most  recent  fiscal  quarter (the registrant's fourth
          fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has  materially
          affected,  or   is  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the
          registrant's internal control over financial reporting;  and

5.   The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on
     our  most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting,
     to the  registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's
     board of directors (or  persons  performing  the  equivalent  functions):

     a)   All  significant  deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design
          or operation  of internal control over financial reporting which are
          reasonably likely  to  adversely  affect  the  registrant's  ability
          to record, process, summarize  and report financial information; and

     b)   Any  fraud,  whether  or  not  material, that involves management or
          other  employees  who  have  a  significant role in the registrant's
          internal control over  financial  reporting.


Date: August  4,  2004           /s/  MICHAEL  L.  BROWNE
      ----------------        -------------------------------------------
                              Michael  L.  Browne
                              Chief  Executive  Officer  and  a  Director


Page  33




EXHIBIT  (31.2)

                    CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO THE SECTION 302
                        OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I,  Bruce  J.  Magee,  certify  that:

1.   I  have  reviewed the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Harleysville Group
     Inc.;

2.   Based  on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement
     of a  material  fact  or  omit to state a material fact necessary to make
     the  statements  made,  in  light  of the circumstances under which  such
     statements were made, not misleading with  respect to the  period covered
     by this report;

3.   Based  on  my  knowledge,  the  financial statements, and other financial
     information  included  in  this  report, fairly present  in all  material
     respects  the financial  conditions, results of operations and cash flows
     of  the  registrant  as of,  and  for,  the  periods  presented  in  this
     report;

4.   The  registrant's  other  certifying  officers  and I are responsible for
     establishing  and  maintaining  disclosure  controls  and  procedures (as
     defined in Exchange  Act  Rules  13a-15(e) and 15d(e)) for the registrant
     and  have:

     a)   Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and procedures, or caused such
          disclosure   controls  and  procedures  to  be  designed  under  our
          supervision, to  ensure  that  material  information relating to the
          registrant,  including its consolidated  subsidiaries, is made known
          to  us  by  others  within  those  entities, particularly during the
          period in  which  this  report  is  being  prepared;

     b)   Evaluated  the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls
          and  procedures  and  presented   in  this  report  our  conclusions
          about the effectiveness  of  the disclosure controls and procedures,
          as  of  the end  of the period  covered  by  this  report  based  on
          such  evaluation;  and

     c)   Disclosed  in  this  report  any change in the registrant's internal
          control   over   financial   reporting   that  occurred  during  the
          registrant's  most  recent  fiscal  quarter (the registrant's fourth
          fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has  materially
          affected,  or   is  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the
          registrant's internal control over financial reporting;  and

5.   The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on
     our  most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting,
     to the  registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's
     board of directors (or  persons  performing  the  equivalent  functions):

     a)   All  significant  deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design
          or operation  of internal control over financial reporting which are
          reasonably likely  to  adversely  affect  the  registrant's  ability
          to record, process, summarize  and report financial information; and

     b)   Any  fraud,  whether  or  not  material, that involves management or
          other  employees  who  have  a  significant role in the registrant's
          internal control over  financial  reporting.



Date:  August  4,  2004           /s/  BRUCE  J.  MAGEE
       ----------------         ----------------------------
                                Bruce  J.  Magee
                                Senior  Vice  President  and
                                Chief  Financial  Officer


Page  34




EXHIBIT  (32.1)

                             HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC.

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In  connection  with  the  Quarterly  Report  of  Harleysville  Group  Inc. (the
"Company")  on  Form  10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Michael
L.  Browne,  Chief  Executive  Officer  of  the Company, certify, pursuant to 18
U.S.C.  section  1350,  as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act  of  2002,  that  based  on  my  knowledge:

(1)    The  Report  fully  complies  with  the requirements of section 13(a) or
       15(d)  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934;  and

(2)    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
       respects,  the  financial  condition  and  results of operations  of the
       Company.



Date:    August  4,  2004         /s/  MICHAEL  L.  BROWNE
       ------------------       --------------------------------------
                                Michael  L.  Browne
                                Chief  Executive  Officer  and  a  Director


Page  35



EXHIBIT  (32.2)

                             HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC.

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In  connection  with  the  Quarterly  Report  of  Harleysville  Group  Inc. (the
"Company")  on  Form  10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004, as filed with the
Securities  and  Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Bruce
J.  Magee,  Senior  Vice  President  and Chief Financial Officer of the Company,
certify,  pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906
of  the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act  of  2002,  that  based  on  my  knowledge:

(1)    The  Report  fully  complies  with  the requirements of section 13(a) or
       15(d)  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934;  and

(2)    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
       respects,  the  financial  condition  and  results of  operations of the
       Company.


Date:    August  4,  2004           /s/  BRUCE  J.  MAGEE
       ------------------         ---------------------------
                                  Bruce  J.  Magee
                                  Senior  Vice  President  and
                                  Chief  Financial  Officer


Page  36