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                                                                      EXHIBIT 5



                                                           October 29, 1996




Board of Directors
Symons International Group, Inc.
4720 Kingsway Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46205

Gentlemen:

        You have requested our opinion in connection with the Form S-1
Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by Symons
International Group, Inc., an Indiana corporation (the "Corporation"), with
respect to the offer and sale by the Corporation of up to 3,450,000 shares of
Common Stock, no par value, of the Corporation (the "Shares") of which
3,000,000 Shares are being sold by the Corporation and 450,000 Shares are
subject to over-allotment options granted to the underwriters by the
Corporation.  We have examined such records and documents and have made such
investigation of law as we have deemed necessary in the circumstances.

        Based on that examination and investigation, it is our opinion that the
Shares are duly authorized and will be, when sold in the manner described in
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state blue sky laws,
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

        The foregoing opinion is limited to the application of the internal
laws of the State of Indiana and applicable federal law, and no opinion is
expressed herein as to any matter governed by the laws of any other
jurisdiction.

        We consent to the use of our name under the caption "Legal Matters" in
the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement and to the filing of this
opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement.



                                                Very truly yours,     
                                                                      
                                                                      
                                                /s/ Barnes & Thornburg
                                                BARNES & THORNBURG