UNITED STATES
                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 FORM 8-K

                              CURRENT REPORT

    Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 17, 2004
                                                  ---------------

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


            Iowa                          0-10956              42-623455
- -------------------------------        ------------      --------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of        (Commission       (I.R.S. Employer
         incorporation)                File Number)       Identification No.)


 717 Mulberry Street, Des Moines, Iowa                           50309
- ---------------------------------------                       ----------
(Address of principal executive office)                       (Zip Code)


                                (515) 280-2902
              ----------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



Item 9.  Regulation FD Disclosure

     On August 17, 2004 EMC Insurance Group Inc. issued the following press
release:

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. DECLARES
91st CONSECUTIVE QUARTERLY DIVIDEND


     DES MOINES, Iowa (August 17, 2004) - The Board of Directors of EMC
Insurance Group Inc. (Nasdaq/NM:EMCI) has declared a quarterly dividend of
fifteen (15) cents per share of common stock payable September 3, 2004 to
shareholders of record as of August 27, 2004. This is the ninety-first
consecutive quarterly dividend paid since EMC Insurance Group Inc. became a
publicly held company in February 1982.

     EMC Insurance Group Inc., the publicly-held insurance holding company of
EMC Insurance Companies, owns subsidiaries with operations in property and
casualty insurance and reinsurance. EMC Insurance Companies is one of the
largest property and casualty entities in Iowa and among the top 60 insurance
entities nationwide. For more information, visit our website
www.emcinsurance.com.

     The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides issuers
the opportunity to make cautionary statements regarding forward-looking
statements.  Accordingly, any forward-looking statement contained in this
report is based on management's current expectations and actual results of
the Company may differ materially from such expectations.  The risks and
uncertainties that may affect the actual results of the Company include but
are not limited to the following:  catastrophic events and the occurrence of
significant severe weather conditions; state and federal legislation and
regulations; rate competition; changes in interest rates and the performance
of financial markets; the adequacy of loss and settlement expense reserves,
including asbestos and environmental claims; rate agency actions and other
risks and uncertainties inherent to the Company's business. When we use the
words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate" or similar expressions,
we intend to identify forward-looking statements.  You should not place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements.





     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 hereunto duly authorized.

                                    EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC.
                                    Registrant


                                    /s/ Bruce G. Kelley
                                    -------------------------
                                    Bruce G. Kelley
                                    President & Chief Executive Officer


                                    /s/ Mark E. Reese
                                    -------------------------
                                    Mark E. Reese,
                                    Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
August 17, 2004