-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 DMAcM0jJfZot4yxeElWbsV+A+VOeLmdOEw3YyTpqByVLCjz3MooOIc04YPl4niuG
 oaV1URzT6tCLwEzNJLU+8A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000935596-04-000036.txt : 20041209
<SEC-HEADER>0000935596-04-000036.hdr.sgml : 20041209
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041209135742
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000935596-04-000036
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041208
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041209
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041209

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DONEGAL GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000800457
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				232424711
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1195 RIVER RD PO BOX 302
		CITY:			MARIETTA
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17547-0302
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7174261931

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1195 RIVER ROAD
		STREET 2:		BOX 302
		CITY:			MARIETTA
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17547

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DONEGAL MUTUAL INSURANCE CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000935596
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15341
		FILM NUMBER:		041192779

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1195 RIVER RD
		CITY:			MARIETTA
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17547
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7174267000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1195 RIVER ROAD
		CITY:			MARIATTA
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			17547
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-08</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000800457</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DONEGAL GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>dgicb</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000935596</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DONEGAL MUTUAL INSURANCE CO</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1195 RIVER ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MARIATTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>17547</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>400</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>19.55</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2016969</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Ralph G. Spontak, Sr. VP, CFO &amp; Secretary</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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