HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC
10-Q, 1999-11-12
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
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               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                    Washington, D.C.  20549

                           FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
               SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999.
                             --------------------
                               OR

[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
               SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to
                              -------------   ---------------

Commission file number 0-14697
                      ----------

                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC.
      ----------------------------------------------------
     (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


          DELAWARE                               51-0241172
- -------------------------------              ------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of               (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)               Identification No.)


    355 MAPLE AVENUE,  HARLEYSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA  19438-2297
   ----------------------------------------------------------
  (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)


                       (215) 256-5000
       --------------------------------------------------
      (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed
all  reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d)  of  the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding  12  months
(or  for such shorter period that the registrant was required  to
file  such  reports)  and  (2) has been subject  to  such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes   X  .  No      .
    -----   ------

      At  November 9, 1999 29,070,408 shares of common  stock  of
Harleysville Group Inc. were outstanding.

                                1

<PAGE>



             HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                              INDEX


                                                      PAGE NUMBER
                                                      -----------

Part I - Financial Information

  Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 1999
    and December 31, 1998                                   3

  Consolidated Statements of Income - For the three
    months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998                4

  Consolidated Statements of Income - For the nine
     months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998               5

  Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity -
     For the nine months ended September 30, 1999           6

  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - For the
     nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998          7

  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                8

  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results
     of Operations and Financial Condition                 14


Part II - Other Information                                19

                                2

<PAGE>



             HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                (in thousands, except share data)

                                            September 30,    December 31,
                                                 1999            1998
                                            -------------    ------------
                                             (Unaudited)
                   ASSETS
Investments:
  Fixed maturities:
      Held to maturity, at amortized
      cost (fair value $615,024
      and  $680,371)                         $  606,058      $  638,319
      Available for sale, at fair value
      (amortized cost $767,364
      and $716,325)                             765,926         751,293
  Equity securities, at fair value
    (cost $104,499 and $95,797)                 181,520         174,932
  Short-term investments, at cost,
    which approximates fair value                33,180          15,022
                                             ----------      ----------
      Total investments                       1,586,684       1,579,566

Cash                                             14,828           3,799
Receivables:
  Premiums                                       95,963          91,256
  Reinsurance                                    79,634          84,179
  Accrued investment income                      21,171          22,134
                                             ----------      ----------

      Total receivables                         196,768         197,569

Deferred policy acquisition costs                89,433          78,984
Prepaid reinsurance premiums                     13,789          12,108
Property and equipment, net                      26,580          25,051
Deferred income taxes                            21,876           3,604
Due from affiliate                                4,090
Other assets                                     36,884          33,816
                                             ----------      ----------

      Total assets                           $1,990,932      $1,934,497
                                             ==========      ==========

      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Liabilities:
  Unpaid losses and loss settlement
    expenses                                 $  903,873      $  893,420
  Unearned premiums                             361,509         317,772
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses         104,114          83,735
  Debt                                           96,810          97,140
  Due to affiliate                                               12,772
                                             ----------      ----------
      Total liabilities                       1,466,306       1,404,839
                                             ----------      ----------
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $1 par value,
    authorized 1,000,000 shares;
    none issued
  Common stock, $1 par value, authorized
    80,000,000 shares; issued 29,480,943
    and 29,150,518 shares; outstanding
    29,409,618 and 29,150,518 shares             29,481          29,151
  Additional paid-in capital                    124,597         119,302
  Accumulated other comprehensive income         49,129          74,167
  Retained earnings                             322,811         307,038
  Treasury stock, at cost,
    71,325 shares                                (1,392)
                                             ----------      ----------
      Total shareholders' equity                524,626         529,658
                                             ----------      ----------
      Total liabilities and
        shareholders' equity                 $1,990,932      $1,934,497
                                             ==========      ==========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                3

<PAGE>



                HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                              (Unaudited)
         FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND 1998
             (dollars in thousands, except per share data)



                                          1999          1998
                                        --------      --------

Revenues:

  Premiums earned                       $179,503      $165,735
  Investment income, net of
    investment expenses                   21,517        21,546
  Realized investment gains                2,263         2,162
  Other income                             4,170         3,202
                                        --------      --------

      Total revenues                     207,453       192,645
                                        --------      --------

Losses and expenses:

  Losses and loss settlement expenses    147,681       116,075
  Amortization of deferred policy
    acquisition costs                     46,383        42,377
  Other underwriting expenses             15,344        13,987
  Interest expense                         1,624         1,624
  Other expenses                           1,361         1,138
                                        --------      --------

      Total expenses                     212,393       175,201
                                        --------      --------

      Income (loss) before income
       taxes                              (4,940)       17,444

Income taxes (benefit)                    (4,633)        3,291
                                        --------      --------

      Net income (loss)                 $   (307)     $ 14,153
                                        ========      ========

Per common share:

  Basic earnings (loss)                 $   (.01)     $    .49
                                        ========      ========

  Diluted earnings (loss)               $   (.01)     $    .48
                                        ========      ========

  Cash dividend                         $   .135      $   .125
                                        ========      ========



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                4

<PAGE>



                HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                              (Unaudited)
         FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND 1998
             (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                                          1999          1998
                                        --------      --------
Revenues:

  Premiums earned                       $524,429      $494,201
  Investment income, net of
    investment expenses                   64,274        64,124
  Realized investment gains                8,283         9,512
  Other income                            11,453         9,335
                                        --------      --------

      Total revenues                     608,439       577,172
                                        --------      --------

Losses and expenses:

  Losses and loss settlement expenses    387,326       346,791
  Amortization of deferred policy
    acquisition costs                    135,198       125,522
  Other underwriting expenses             44,818        40,925
  Interest expense                         4,741         4,889
  Other expenses                           3,703         3,110
                                        --------      --------

      Total expenses                     575,786       521,237
                                        --------      --------

      Income before income taxes
        and cumulative effect of
        accounting change                 32,653        55,935

Income taxes                               2,684        11,328
                                        --------      --------
      Income before cumulative
      effect of accounting
      change                              29,969        44,607

Cumulative effect of accounting
  change, net of income tax               (2,904)
                                        --------      --------

      Net income                        $ 27,065      $ 44,607
                                        ========      ========

Per common share:

  Basic:
    Income before cumulative effect
      of accounting change              $   1.02      $   1.54
    Cumulative effect of accounting
      change, net of income tax             (.10)
                                        --------      --------
    Net income                          $    .92      $   1.54
                                        ========      ========

  Diluted:
    Income before cumulative effect
      of accounting change              $   1.01      $   1.51
    Cumulative effect of accounting
      change, net of income tax             (.10)
                                        ---------     --------
    Net income                          $     .91     $   1.51
                                        =========     ========
  Cash dividend                         $    .385     $   .355
                                        =========     ========



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                5

<PAGE>



            HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                           (Unaudited)
          FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
                         (dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    ACCUMULATED
                  COMMON STOCK      ADDITIONAL    OTHER
                                    PAID-IN       COMPREHENSIVE   RETAINED   TREASURY
               SHARES      AMOUNT   CAPITAL       INCOME          EARNINGS   STOCK       TOTAL
             ----------   -------   -----------   -------------   --------   --------    --------
Balance,
 Dec. 31,
 <S>         <C>          <C>       <C>           <C>             <C>        <C>         <C>
 1998        29,150,518   $29,151   $119,302      $ 74,167        $307,038   $           $529,658
                                                                                         --------
Net income                                                          27,065                 27,065

Other compre-
 hensive
 income,
 net of tax:
  Unrealized
  investment
  losses, net
  of reclassi-
  fication
  adjustment                                       (25,038)                               (25,038)
                                                                                         --------

Comprehensive
 income                                                                                     2,027
                                                                                         --------

Issuance of
 common
 stock          330,425       330      5,295                                                5,625

Cash
 dividend
 paid                                                              (11,292)               (11,292)

Purchase of
 treasury
 stock,
 71,325
 shares                                                                        (1,392)     (1,392)
             ----------   -------   --------      --------        --------    -------    --------
Balance,
 Sept. 30,
 1999        29,480,943   $29,481   $124,597      $ 49,129        $322,811    $(1,392)   $524,626
             ==========   =======   ========      ========        ========    =======    ========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                6

<PAGE>



                   HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (Unaudited)
            FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND 1998
                                (in thousands)


                                                 1999           1998
                                              ----------     ----------
 Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                  $  27,065      $  44,607
  Adjustments to reconcile net income
    to net cash provided by operating
    activities:
      Cumulative effect of accounting
        change, net of income tax                 2,904
      Change in receivables, unearned
        premiums, prepaid reinsurance
        and due to affiliate                     25,995         (7,860)
      Increase in unpaid losses and
        loss settlement expenses                 10,453         24,503
      Deferred income taxes                      (2,607)          (780)
      Increase in deferred policy
        acquisition costs                       (10,449)        (8,266)
      Amortization and depreciation               2,375          1,826
      Gain on sale of investments                (8,283)        (9,512)
      Other, net                                 11,546         28,066
      Cash from change in intercompany
        pooling agreement                                       14,962
                                              ---------      ---------
        Net cash provided by operating
          activities                             58,999         87,546
                                              ---------      ---------

 Cash flows from investing activities:
  Fixed maturity investments:
    Purchases                                  (155,911)      (156,658)
    Sales or maturities                         138,854         89,748
  Equity securities:
    Purchases                                   (20,669)       (19,344)
    Sales                                        19,017         19,076
  Net (purchases) sales of short-term
    investments                                 (18,158)         8,334
  Purchase of property and equipment             (3,714)        (1,339)
                                              ---------      ---------
        Net cash used by investing
          activities                            (40,581)       (60,183)
                                              ---------      ---------

 Cash flows from financing activities:
  Issuance of common stock                        5,625          5,362
  Payment of debt obligations                      (330)          (300)
  Dividends paid                                (11,292)       (10,301)
  Purchase of treasury stock                     (1,392)
                                              ---------      ---------
        Net cash used by
          financing activities                   (7,389)        (5,239)
                                              ---------      ---------

 Increase in cash                                11,029         22,124

  Cash at beginning of period                     3,799          1,460
                                              ---------      ---------

  Cash at end of period                       $  14,828      $  23,584
                                              =========      =========



 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                7

 <PAGE>



            HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          (Unaudited)
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1 - Basis of Presentation

      The  financial information for the interim periods included
herein  is  unaudited;  however, such  information  reflects  all
adjustments,  consisting of normal recurring  adjustments,  which
are,   in  the  opinion  of  management,  necessary  to  a   fair
presentation  of the financial position, results  of  operations,
and  cash  flows  for  the  interim  periods.   The  results   of
operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative  of
results to be expected for the full year.

      These  financial statements should be read  in  conjunction
with  the  financial  statements and notes  for  the  year  ended
December  31,  1998 included in the Company's 1998 Annual  Report
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K.


2 - Changes in Accounting Principles

(a)  Guaranty-Fund and Other Insurance-Related Assessments

       In  1997,  the  American  Institute  of  Certified  Public
Accountants  (AICPA)  issued Statement of  Position  (SOP)  97-3,
"Accounting  by  Insurance and Other Enterprises  for  Insurance-
Related  Assessments,"  which provides guidance  for  determining
when to recognize, and how to determine, a liability for guaranty-
fund  and other insurance-related assessments. Effective  January
1,  1999,  the Company adopted SOP 97-3 and recorded a charge  of
$2,904,000, net of a tax benefit of $1,564,000, as the cumulative
effect   of   the  accounting  change.  Prior  period   financial
statements  have  not  been restated and  pro  forma  effects  of
retroactive application are not material.

     (b)  Costs of Internal Use Software

      In  March 1998, the AICPA issued SOP 98-1, "Accounting  for
Costs  of  Computer Software Developed or Obtained  for  Internal
Use."  The  SOP  requires  that  certain  costs  related  to  the
development  or purchase of internal-use software be  capitalized
and  amortized  over the estimated useful life of  the  software.
This  SOP  also  requires that costs related to  the  preliminary
project stage and the post implementation/operations stage in  an
internal-use computer software development project be expensed as
incurred. Effective January 1, 1999, the Company adopted SOP 98-1
and  accordingly  has  capitalized costs of $1,317,000  in  1999.
Prior period financial statements have not been restated.

                                8

<PAGE>



            HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          (Unaudited)
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Continued)


3 - Earnings Per Share

      The  computation of basic and diluted earnings  (loss)  per
share is as follows:

                         FOR THE THREE MONTHS    FOR THE NINE MONTHS
                         ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,     ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                           1999       1998         1999       1998
                         --------   --------     --------   --------
                            (in thousands, except per share data)

Numerator for basic
 and diluted earnings
 (loss) per share:
    Net income (loss)    $  (307)   $14,153      $27,065    $44,607
                         =======    =======      =======    =======

Denominator for basic
 earnings (loss) per
 share -- weighted
 average shares
 outstanding              29,395     29,086       29,311     28,995

Effect of stock
 incentive plans                        392          356        494
                         -------    -------      -------    -------

Denominator for
 diluted earnings
 (loss) per share         29,395     29,478       29,667     29,489
                         =======    =======      =======    =======

Basic earnings
 (loss) per share        $  (.01)   $   .49      $   .92    $  1.54
                         =======    =======      =======    =======

Diluted earnings
 (loss) per share        $  (.01)   $   .48      $   .91    $  1.51
                         =======    =======      =======    =======


      The  following options to purchase shares of  common  stock
were  not  included  in the computation of diluted  earnings  per
share because the exercise price of the options was greater  than
the average market price:

                                9

<PAGE>



            HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          (Unaudited)
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Continued)


                       FOR THE THREE MONTHS     FOR THE NINE MONTHS
                       ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,      ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                        1999      1998           1999       1998
                       -------   ------         -------    ------
                                     (in thousands)

Number of options        662      331             318        162
                         ===      ===             ===        ===


     For the three months ended September 30, 1999, an additional
1,465,175  options to purchase shares of common  stock  were  not
included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because
their inclusion would have had an antidilutive effect.


4-   Reinsurance

     Premiums earned are net of amounts ceded of $11,980,000  and
$34,997,000  for  the three and nine months ended  September  30,
1999,  respectively, and $9,876,000 and $21,646,000 for the three
and  nine  months  ended September 30, 1998,  respectively.   The
ceded  earned  premiums for the nine months ended  September  30,
1998  are net of a $8,217,000 refund of premiums previously ceded
to  the  Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association.  Such premiums
were  refunded to Harleysville Group which were then  immediately
refunded to policyholders and thus had no effect on net premiums.
Losses  and loss settlement expenses are net of amounts ceded  of
$5,044,000  and $20,691,000 for the three and nine  months  ended
September 30, 1999, respectively, and $17,945,000 and $49,494,000
for   the  three  and  nine  months  ended  September  30,  1998,
respectively.   Such  amounts  do  not  include  the  reinsurance
transactions  with Mutual under the pooling arrangement,  but  do
include the reinsurance described in the following paragraph.

       Harleysville  Group  has  a  reinsurance  agreement   with
Harleysville  Mutual  Insurance Company (Mutual)  whereby  Mutual
reinsures  accumulated catastrophe losses  in  a  quarter  up  to
$14,400,000  ($16,200,000  in  1998)  in  excess  of   $3,600,000
($1,800,000  in 1998) in return for a reinsurance  premium.   The
agreement  excludes catastrophe losses resulting from earthquakes
or  hurricanes, and supplements the existing external catastrophe
reinsurance program. Harleysville Group ceded to Mutual  premiums
earned  of  $1,775,000  and  $789,000  and  losses  incurred   of
$(447,000)  and  $7,506,000 for the three months ended  September
30,  1999  and  1998, respectively. Harleysville Group  ceded  to
Mutual  premiums earned of $5,330,000 and $2,271,000  and  losses
incurred of $5,001,000 and $27,431,000 for the nine months  ended
September 30, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

                               10

<PAGE>



            HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          (Unaudited)
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Continued)


      Harleysville  Group cedes business to and assumes  business
from  Mutual under a reinsurance pooling agreement.  Because this
agreement   does  not  relieve  Harleysville  Group  of   primary
liability as the originating insurer, there is a concentration of
credit risk arising from business ceded to Mutual.  However,  the
reinsurance  pooling agreement provides for the right  of  offset
and  the net balance with Mutual is a liability at September  30,
1999  and December 31, 1998.  Mutual has an A. M. Best rating  of
"A"  (Excellent) and, in accordance with certain state regulatory
requirements,   maintained  $321.1  million   (fair   value)   of
investments  in a trust account to secure liabilities  under  the
reinsurance pooling agreement at September 30, 1999.


5 - Cash Flows

      Net  cash  tax payments of $9,820,000 and $12,175,000  were
made  in  the  first nine months of 1999 and 1998,  respectively.
Cash interest payments of $3,371,000 and $3,516,000 were made  in
the first nine months of 1999 and 1998, respectively.


6 - Segment Information

      The  performance of the personal lines and commercial lines
is  evaluated based upon underwriting results as determined under
statutory  accounting  practices  (SAP)  for  the  total   pooled
business of Harleysville Group and Mutual.  The following  tables
reflect the total pooled business.  The eliminations reflect  the
share  of  the total pooled business not retained by Harleysville
Group  and  the  effect of the catastrophe reinsurance  agreement
between Harleysville Group and Mutual.

                               11


<PAGE>



            HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          (Unaudited)
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Continued)


     Financial data by segment is as follows:

                          FOR THE THREE MONTHS      FOR THE NINE MONTHS
                          ENDED  SEPTEMBER  30,     ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                           1999       1998           1999         1998
                         --------   ---------      ---------    ---------
                                         (in thousands)
Revenues:
 Premiums earned:
 Commercial lines        $155,870    $139,518      $ 457,388    $ 414,583
 Personal lines            95,904      91,766        278,388      274,962
 Eliminations             (72,271)    (65,549)      (211,347)    (195,344)
                         --------    --------      ---------    ---------
    Total premiums
     earned               179,503     165,735        524,429      494,201

 Net investment
  income                   21,517      21,546         64,274       64,124
 Realized investment
  gains                     2,263       2,162          8,283        9,512
 Other                      4,170       3,202         11,453        9,335
                         --------    --------      ---------    ---------
Total revenues           $207,453    $192,645      $ 608,439    $ 577,172
                         ========    ========      =========    =========

Income (loss) before
 income taxes and
 cumulative effect of
 accounting change:
 Underwriting loss:
   Commercial lines      $(25,273)   $(13,451)     $(51,551)    $(50,641)
   Personal lines         (17,099)     (8,846)      (22,312)     (21,334)
   Eliminations             9,985      13,465        21,362       45,846
                         --------    --------      ---------    --------
    SAP underwriting
      loss                (32,387)     (8,832)      (52,501)     (26,129)
 GAAP adjustments           2,482       2,128         9,588        7,092
                         --------    --------     ---------     --------
    GAAP underwriting
      loss                (29,905)     (6,704)      (42,913)     (19,037)
 Net investment income     21,517      21,546        64,274       64,124
 Realized investment
  gains                     2,263       2,162         8,283        9,512
 Other                      1,185         440         3,009        1,336
                         --------    --------     ---------     --------
Income (loss) before
 income taxes and
 cumulative effect of
 accounting  change      $ (4,940)   $ 17,444     $  32,653     $ 55,935
                         ========    ========      ========     ========

                               12

<PAGE>



            HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          (UNAUDITED)
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          (Continued)



7 - Comprehensive Income

      Comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following (all
amounts are net of taxes):


                          FOR THE THREE MONTHS     FOR THE NINE MONTHS
                          ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,      ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                           1999         1998        1999        1998
                         ---------    --------     --------   --------

Net income (loss)        $   (307)    $14,153      $ 27,065    $44,607
Other comprehensive
 income (loss):
  Unrealized investment
   holding gains
   (losses) arising
   during period          (12,843)      3,910       (19,868)    21,960
 Less:
  Reclassification
   adjustment for
   gains included
   in net income           (1,466)     (1,402)       (5,170)    (6,125)
                         --------     -------      --------    -------

Net unrealized
 investment gains
 (losses)                 (14,309)      2,508       (25,038)    15,835
                         --------     -------      --------    -------

Comprehensive income
  (loss)                 $(14,616)    $16,661      $  2,027    $60,442
                         ========     =======      ========    =======

                               13

<PAGE>



            HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
        MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
             OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION


Results of Operations

      Premiums  earned increased $13.8 million and $30.2  million
during  the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999.   The
increases are primarily due to an increase in premiums earned for
commercial  lines  of $11.8 million and $30.8  million  partially
offset  by increases of $1.0 million and $3.1 million in premiums
ceded under the catastrophe reinsurance agreement with Mutual for
the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999, respectively.
Premiums earned for personal lines increased by $3.0 million  for
the  three  months  ended September 30, 1999  after  having  been
essentially  unchanged for the six months ended  June  30,  1999.
This  increase  is primarily due to personal automobile  business
written  through  a  managing general  agent.  Such  business  is
expected to increase for the fourth quarter of 1999 but increases
therefrom may not continue as termination of the arrangement with
the managing general agent is being negotiated.

      Investment income was essentially unchanged for  the  three
and  nine  months  ended September 30, 1999  as  an  increase  in
invested  assets  was offset by a lower yield on  the  investment
portfolio.

     Realized investment gains were essentially unchanged for the
three months ended September 30, 1999.  Realized investment gains
decreased  $1.2 million for the nine months ended  September  30,
1999  primarily  resulting from sales  of  equity  securities  at
lesser gains.

      Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect  of
accounting  change decreased $22.4 million and $23.3 million  for
the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999, respectively,
primarily  due to greater losses incurred relative  to  premiums.
Harleysville Group's statutory combined ratio increased to 116.0%
for the three months ended September 30, 1999 from 104.1% for the
three months ended September 30, 1998 and to 107.4% for the  nine
months  ended September 30, 1999 from 103.5% for the nine  months
ended  September 30, 1998.  Hurricane Floyd struck the east coast
of  the United States during the third quarter of 1999 and caused
losses  of  $12.2 million ($.27 per basic share after taxes)  and
adversely affected the statutory combined ratio by 6.8 points and
2.3  points  for  the three and nine months ended  September  30,
1999,  respectively.   Hurricane Bonnie struck  North  and  South
Carolina and Virginia during the third quarter of 1998 and caused
losses  of  $3.0 million ($.07 per basic share after  taxes)  and
adversely affected the statutory combined ratio by 1.9 points and
0.6  points  for  the three and nine months ended  September  30,
1998,  respectively.  Hurricane losses are not covered under  the
aggregate catastrophe reinsurance agreement with Mutual.

                               14


<PAGE>



            HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
        MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
             OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
                          (Continued)


      The third quarter of 1999 included a pre-tax charge of $2.6
million  ($.06  per  basic  share after  taxes)  related  to  the
consolidation  of  23  claims offices into a  centralized  direct
reporting  center  and four specialized regional  claims  service
centers.   The  restructuring is expected  to  result  in  a  net
reduction  in  claims  staff of approximately  125  people.   The
consolidation  is expected to be completed by the second  quarter
of  2000  and result in annual after-tax savings of approximately
$2.3  million, or $.08 per share, based on a preliminary analysis
of  achievable  cost  savings.  This claims restructuring  charge
adversely affected the statutory combined ratio by 1.4 points and
0.5  points  for  the three and nine months ended  September  30,
1999,  respectively. Excluding the impacts of the hurricanes  and
claims   restructuring  charge,  the  statutory  combined   ratio
increased 5.6 points and 1.7 points for the three and nine months
ended  September 30, 1999, respectively, primarily due  to  worse
results  in  the commercial automobile and commercial multi-peril
lines   of  business.  Harleysville  Group  is  effecting   price
increases  in  these lines of business which could  mitigate  the
combined  ratio trend in these lines or cause premium  growth  to
decline.

      Losses  ceded  under the aggregate catastrophe  reinsurance
agreement with Mutual decreased by $8.0 million and $22.4 million
for   the  three  and  nine  months  ended  September  30,  1999,
respectively,   due  to  fewer  and  less  severe   non-hurricane
catastrophes in 1999.  In 1998, there were several severe  spring
and  summer  storms and a first quarter ice storm in upstate  New
York.

     The income tax provision for the three and nine months ended
September  30, 1999 includes the tax benefit of $3.0 million  and
$8.9   million  associated  with  tax-exempt  investment  income,
compared to $2.9 million and $8.4 million in the same prior  year
periods.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

      Net cash provided by operating activities was $59.0 million
and  $87.5 million for the nine months ended September  30,  1999
and 1998.  The decrease primarily resulted from a decline of $7.4
million   in  cash  held  as  collateral  for  security   lending
transactions,  and  by the effect of the 1998  amendment  to  the
pooling  agreement with Mutual.  A cash transfer of $15.0 million
was  received  effective January 1, 1998, by  Harleysville  Group
related  to  the  various liabilities assumed in connection  with
such amendment.

                               15


<PAGE>



            HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
        MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
             OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
                          (Continued)


      Net cash used by investing activities was $40.6 million and
$60.2  million for the nine months ended September 30,  1999  and
1998.   The  decrease  is primarily due to the  decline  in  cash
provided by operating activities.

     Net cash used by financing activities increased $2.2 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 primarily due to  an
increase in dividends paid and the purchase of treasury stock.

      Harleysville Group Inc. maintained $7.9 million of cash and
marketable investments at the holding company level at  September
30,  1999  which  is  available for  general  corporate  business
purposes including dividends, debt service, capital contributions
to  subsidiaries, acquisitions and the repurchase of  stock.   In
October  1999,  the Board of Directors increased  the  number  of
shares authorized to be purchased under the stock repurchase plan
adopted  in  June  1999.  Under the increased authorization,  the
Company and Mutual may each purchase up to 1.0 million shares  of
Harleysville  Group  Inc. common stock, up  to  a  total  of  2.0
million  shares.   The Company had no other material  commitments
for capital expenditures as of September 30, 1999.


Year 2000

       Harleysville   Group  began  assessing   its   information
technology  (IT)  systems in 1996 and developed plans  to  ensure
their  functionality  with respect to the  year  2000  millennium
change.  These  plans  contain four major  phases:   remediation,
certification testing, enterprise testing and street testing.

      The  major part of the remediation phase involved modifying
our  basic transaction processing systems that include the policy
issuance, billing and claims systems.  The remediation phase  was
completed during the fourth quarter of 1998.

      The  certification testing phase began in the third quarter
of  1998  and was fully completed in the second quarter of  1999.
This  phase  involved  testing each system using  aged  data  and
critical   future  dates  in  a  separate  year  2000   compliant
environment   and   remediating   any   problems   that    arise.
Harleysville  Group  did not encounter any  significant  problems
during  certification  testing and all problems  identified  have
been remediated.

                               16


<PAGE>



            HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
        MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
             OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
                          (Continued)


      The enterprise testing phase began in the second quarter of
1999  and involved testing hardware and operating system software
running  in concert with each other using critical future  dates.
The  enterprise testing was completed and no significant problems
were encountered.

      The  street  testing  phase involves  testing  Harleysville
Group's  IT  systems with third parties and began in  the  second
quarter of 1999.  There have been no significant problems in  the
testing and the testing has been completed.

      Harleysville Group has non-IT systems that include embedded
technology  such  as  office  equipment  and  building   systems.
Harleysville  Group has inventoried the non-IT  systems  and  has
either   tested  or  communicated  with  vendors  and   landlords
regarding  year 2000 readiness for essentially all of the  non-IT
systems.  Harleysville  Group  currently  does  not  expect   any
material  impact  to  its  business,  results  of  operations  or
financial condition from the failure of non-IT systems.

      Harleysville  Group's expenses since 1996 to  address  year
2000  issues were approximately $3.6 million as of September  30,
1999  and  consisted  primarily of costs of  internal  resources.
Estimated  remaining costs to complete the  year  2000  work  are
currently less than $0.1 million.

      Harleysville Group's year 2000 plans provide  for  time  to
correct problems encountered in the testing phases.  Harleysville
Group  is continually assessing the most reasonably likely  worst
case  year 2000 scenario and the contingency alternatives.   This
assessment is ongoing and contingency plans will be finalized  in
the  fourth  quarter.  Current contingency plans  include  backup
electricity generators and additional staffing over the three day
New Year holiday weekend.

      Harleysville Group has risk that third parties will  suffer
year  2000  problems.  As most of Harleysville  Group's  computer
systems have been internally developed, Harleysville Group is not
significantly  dependent on third party  vendors  for  year  2000
compliance.    Of   the   independent   agents   that   interface
electronically  with  Harleysville  Group,  almost   all   either
utilize,  or  have access to, a system for which the  remediation
and  certification testing phases are complete.  Some information
used
                               17


<PAGE>



            HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
        MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
             OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
                          (Continued)


in  underwriting  policies and adjusting claims,  such  as  motor
vehicle  reports,  rating information and crime  data  bases,  is
generally  obtained electronically. Investment portfolio  pricing
information   and   bank   statement  information   is   obtained
electronically.   Harleysville Group is  communicating  with  and
monitoring the year 2000 progress of such third parties and  will
conclude  its  contingency planning later in 1999.   Harleysville
Group  is  also communicating with and monitoring the  year  2000
readiness of other third parties it does business with  but  with
which  it  does not exchange data electronically.  To the  extent
that any of these third parties appear not to be year 2000 ready,
Harleysville  Group  will  make  appropriate  contingency   plans
dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each third party.

     Harleysville Group has risk that claims related to year 2000
issues will be made under insurance policies that it underwrites.
Harleysville  Group  has  concluded  that  its  policies  do  not
generally  provide  coverage for losses  relating  to  year  2000
issues  and  has  issued  endorsements  further  clarifying  this
exclusion.  However,  due in part to the potential  for  judicial
decisions  which  expand policies to cover risks  that  were  not
contemplated   by   the  policy,  which  in  turn   may   produce
unanticipated  claims at that point in time, the  amount  of  any
potential year 2000 coverage liabilities is not determinable.

      This  year  2000 disclosure contains statements  which  are
forward-looking  statements that involve risks and  uncertainties
and  qualify  for  the statutory safe harbor  under  the  Private
Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of  1995.   Future  year  2000
readiness  activities may not adhere to the anticipated  schedule
and  cost  estimations because:  more problems may be encountered
than  anticipated  in the various stages of testing  and  trained
personnel may not be available to work on internal systems in the
time  required;  or  there may be unexpected  problems  with  the
readiness of third party business partners and vendors who cannot
produce services; or utility companies may not be able to provide
the vital services required to maintain operations.

                               18


<PAGE>



            HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings - None

ITEM 2. Changes in Securities - None

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities - None

ITEM 4. Submission  of  Matters to a Vote of Security  Holders -
        None

ITEM 5. Other Information - None

ITEM 6. a.  Exhibits - None
        b.  Reports on Form 8-K - None



                           SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities  Exchange
Act  of  1934, the registrant has duly caused this report  to  be
signed   on   its  behalf  by  the  undersigned  thereunto   duly
authorized.


                                  HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC.



Date:  November 12 1999                /s/BRUCE J. MAGEE
      ------------------          ---------------------------------
                                          Bruce J. Magee
                                    Senior Vice President and
                                     Chief Financial Officer
                                  (principal financial officer and
                                    principal accounting officer)


                               19


<PAGE>



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<ARTICLE> 7
<CIK> 0000792013
<NAME> HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           765,926
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                          606,058
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                                          0
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<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 32,653
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<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,969
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<CHANGES>                                      (2,904)
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,065
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