EXHIBIT 5

                          DRINKER BIDDLE & SHANLEY LLP
                                500 Campus Drive
                         Florham Park, New Jersey 07932

May 21, 2002

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.
40 Wantage Avenue
Branchville, New Jersey 07890

      RE:   SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.

Gentlemen:

      We have acted as special counsel to Selective Insurance Group, Inc., a New
Jersey corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and
filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") relating to
the issuance of up to 1,448,128 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's common
stock, par value $2.00 per share, issuable pursuant to the Company's Stock
Option Plan III (the "Plan").

      This opinion is delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item
601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act.

      For purposes of this opinion, we have examined originals or copies,
certified or otherwise, identified to our satisfaction, of the Registration
Statement, together with exhibits filed as a part thereof, and all such other
documents, records, certificates, including certificates of public officials,
and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate.

      Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

      1.   The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing under
           the laws of the State of New Jersey.

      2.   The Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued in the manner
           and for the consideration contemplated by the Plan, will be validly
           issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.
May 21,2002
Page 2


      We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name therein. By giving the
foregoing consent, we do not admit that we are persons whose consent is required
under Section 7 of the Act.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    DRINKER BIDDLE & SHANLEY LLP