EXHIBIT 5

                                                     December 1, 1998

Enhance Financial Services Group Inc.
335 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10017

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         I am General Counsel of Enhance Financial Services Group Inc., a New
York corporation (the "Company"), and I am rendering this opinion in connection
with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 with exhibits thereto (the
"Registration Statement") filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933
(the "Act"), relating to the registration of 1,656,394 shares (the "Shares") of
common stock, par value $.10 per share, of the Company.

         As such counsel, I have participated in the preparation of the
Registration Statement and have reviewed the corporate proceedings in connection
with the issuance of the Shares. I have also examined and relied upon originals
or copies, certified or otherwise authenticated to my satisfaction, of all such
corporate records, documents, agreements, and instruments relating to the
Company, and certificates of public officials and of representatives of the
Company, and have made such investigations of law, and have discussed with
representatives of the Company and such other persons such questions of fact, as
I have deemed proper and necessary as a basis for the rendering of this opinion.

         Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the
Shares are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.

         I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the
Registration Statement. In giving the foregoing consent, I do not admit that I
am in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Act, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
promulgated thereunder.

                                               Very truly yours,

                                                   /s/Samuel Bergman