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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,
 AlabDWAE6O5HZyAtFVZj4plwO/bOZaA0H+WQ7vthThHYHlSnw3/f8rFuAvTWZyFJ
 8EG7eq7iVGrM6VQyW8LfeA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000904314-04-000001.txt : 20040109
<SEC-HEADER>0000904314-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040109
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040109112808
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000904314-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040109

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MERCHANTS GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000803027
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				161280763
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		250 MAIN ST
		CITY:			BUFFALO
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7168493333

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		250 MAIN ST
		CITY:			BUFFALO
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14202

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WEIL JOHN D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000904314
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MO
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09640
		FILM NUMBER:		04516965

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 N BROADWAY SUITE 825
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63102
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3144214600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 N BROADWAY SUITE 825
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63102
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>
    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000803027</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MERCHANTS GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MGP</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000904314</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WEIL JOHN D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>200 N. BROADWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 825</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ST. LOUIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>63102</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>251200</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>Partnership</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding></nonDerivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Shares are held by Woodbourne Partners, L.P. of which the Reporting Person is the sole general partner.  Number of shares does not include an aggregate of 4,955 additional shares of common stock held in six Individual Retirement Accounts maintained for the benefit of certain persons holding limited partnership interest in Woodbourne (or for the benefit of associa
tes of such persons).  The Reporting Person disclaims any beneficial ownership or economic interest in the shares held in such IRA accounts.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>John D. Weil</signatureName><signatureDate>2004-01-09</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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