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                                                                    Exhibit 15.1

April 19, 2001

Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549

Re:      The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
         Registration Statement on Form S-3


Commissioners:

We are aware that (i) our report dated April 5, 2001 on our review of the
condensed consolidated statements of financial condition of The Goldman Sachs
Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company") as of February 23, 2001 and the
related condensed consolidated statements of earnings, cash flows and
comprehensive income for the three months ended February 23, 2001 and February
25, 2000 included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended February 23, 2001, and (ii) our report dated January 12, 2001 on our
review of the consolidated statements of financial condition of SLK LLC and
Subsidiaries as of June 30, 2000 and June 30, 1999, and the related consolidated
statements of income, changes in members' equity and cash flows for each of the
nine-month periods then ended, which was included in the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K/A dated January 16, 2001, are incorporated by reference into
this Registration Statement on Form S-3. Pursuant to Rule 436(c) under the
Securities Act of 1933, such reports should not be considered a part of such
Registration Statement, and are not reports prepared or certified by us within
the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.


Very truly yours,



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP