UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. __________)*
MERCHANTS GROUP
(Name of Issuer)
COMMON
(Name of Class of Securities)
588539106
(CUSIP Number)
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement.(A fee
is not required only if the filing person: (1) has a previous statement
on file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the
class of securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment
subsequent thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less
of such class.) (See Rule 13d-7).
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class
of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information
which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of
that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of
the Act (however, see the Notes).
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
DONALD SMITH & CO., INC
ID NO. 13-2807845
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
(a)
(b) x
3.SEC USE ONLY
4.CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
East 80 Route 4, Suite 360
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
WITH:
5. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
6. SHARED VOTING POWER
0
7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
0
10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGRAGTE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
0%
12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
INVESTMENT ADVISER
(22,315) Item 1
(a)
Merchant's Group
(b)
250 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14202
(22,316)Item 2
(a)
Donald Smith & Co., Inc.
(b)
East 80 Route 4 - Suite 360
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
(c)
Not applicable
(d)
Common
(e)
CUSIP = 588539106
(22,317)Item 3
(e)
Investment Advisor registered under section 203 of the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940
(22,318)Item 4
(a)
0 Shares owned
(b)
0% of class
(c)
(i)
0 shares
(ii)
0 shares
(iii)
0 shares
(iv)
0 shares
(22,319)Item 5
This statement is being filed to report that as of the date hereof,
the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more
than 5% of the class of securities.
(22,320)Item 6
Not applicable
(22,321)Item 7
Not applicable
(22,322)Item 8
Not applicable
(22,323)Item 9
Not applicable
(22,324)Item 10
By signing below, I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
the securities referred to above were acquired in the ordinary course
of business and were not acquired for the purpose of and do not have
the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of such
securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant
in any transaction having such purposes or effect.
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief,
I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.
Date:
February 7, 2000
Signature:
Name and Title:
Donald Smith
President
