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                                EXHIBIT 23(a)
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         Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., Independent Accountants






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                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders,
The Progressive Corporation:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of
The Progressive Corporation on Form S-8 of our reports dated January 27, 1998,
on our audits of the consolidated financial statements and financial statement
schedules of The Progressive Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997, which reports are included in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K, as amended by Form 10K/A-No.1.



                                             /s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
                                             COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.



Cleveland, Ohio
May 1, 1998