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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 JeKElLE4Ryxi7w6ZzZ3Fw8IjWAbOGdOUcGcfxPxEe3uxwf7xDKO6UZysyrm9WD9a
 Qw3Nc60h6PKJDFnwqAGGpg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000792013-08-000127.txt : 20080501
<SEC-HEADER>0000792013-08-000127.hdr.sgml : 20080501
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080501104328
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000792013-08-000127
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080429
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080501
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080501

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000792013
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				510241172
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		355 MAPLE AVE
		CITY:			HARLEYSVILLE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19438-2297
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2152565000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		355 MAPLE AVE
		CITY:			HARLEYSVILLE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19438-2297

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HARLEYSVILLE MUTUAL INSURANCE CO /PA
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001093280
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-14697
		FILM NUMBER:		08792893

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		355 MAPLE AVE
		CITY:			HARLEYSVILLE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19438-2297
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2152565000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		355 MAPLE AVE
		CITY:			HARLEYSVILLE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19438-2297
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-04-29</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000792013</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HARLEYSVILLE GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HGIC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001093280</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HARLEYSVILLE MUTUAL INSURANCE CO /PA</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>355 MAPLE AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HARLEYSVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19438</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-04-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>16914</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>36.65</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15603530</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Mark R. Cummins</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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