-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 UOT81m9VKXkMYi7+M3fHkyuuQ0KHpP+IYMVy1z7tpzzOw2T1xk+D51KhbcpkhN+G
 2HdNQ0hI8ddnjcQdlrzX2g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950116-04-002263.txt : 20040730
<SEC-HEADER>0000950116-04-002263.hdr.sgml : 20040730
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040730180730
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950116-04-002263
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040728
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040730

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NCO GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001022608
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-CONSUMER CREDIT REPORTING, COLLECTION AGENCIES [7320]
		IRS NUMBER:				232858652
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		507 PRUDENTIAL ROAD
		CITY:			HORSHAM
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19044
		BUSINESS PHONE:		215-441-3000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		507 PRUDENTIAL ROAD
		CITY:			HORSHAM
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19044

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BARRIST MICHAEL J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001032181
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21639
		FILM NUMBER:		04943338

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O NCO GROUP INC
		STREET 2:		507 PRUDENTIAL ROAD
		CITY:			HORSHAM
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19044
		BUSINESS PHONE:		215-441-3000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O NCO GROUP INC
		STREET 2:		507 PRUDENTIAL ROAD
		CITY:			HORSHAM
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19044
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>p333352_ex.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001022608</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NCO GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NCOG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001032181</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BARRIST MICHAEL J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O NCO GROUP INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>507 PRUDENTIAL ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HORSHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19044</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President &amp; CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-07-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>60644</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1731463</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>112275</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By the Michael J. Barrist 2001 Grantor Retained Annuity Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>76744</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Co-Trustee</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>375</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Co-Trustee</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>24.84</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-07-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>85414</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-07-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>85414</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>85414</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant of restricted stock units as part of executive compensation. The restricted stock units vest in full on the earlier of (i) July 28, 2009, (ii) the achievement of conditions set forth in the grant or (iii) a change of control of the Issuer.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Michael J. Barrist 2001 Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (&quot;GRAT&quot;) distributed 10,500 shares of NCO common stock to Michael J. Barrist for the purpose of meeting the GRAT's annuity payment obligations.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These shares are held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Barrist's children. Mr. Barrist's spouse is a trustee of the trust and Mr. Barrist has sole power to vote these shares pursuant to an irrevocable proxy.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Represents shares held in trusts for which Mr. Barrist acts as co-trustee. The beneficiaries of the trusts include a member of Mr. Barrist's immediate family. Mr. Barrist disclaims the beneficial ownership of all shares held by such trusts. Amounts shown do not include (a) 173,288 shares which Mr. Barrist has the right to vote pursuant to an irrevocable Proxy Agreement and shares dispositive power; and (b) 152,160 shares held in trust for the benefit of Mr. Barrist's children, for which Mr. Barrist does not act as a trustee, as to all of which shares Mr. Barrist disclaims beneficial ownership.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">One-third of these options will become exercisable on each of July 28, 2005, July 28, 2006 and July 28, 2007. The filing of this Statement shall not be construed as an admission (a) that the person filing this Statement is, for the purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended), the beneficial owner of any equity securities covered by this Statement, or (b) that this Statement is legally required to be filed by such person.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Steven L. Winokur, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----