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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950116-04-002265.txt : 20040730
<SEC-HEADER>0000950116-04-002265.hdr.sgml : 20040730
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040730181025
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950116-04-002265
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040728
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040730

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ELLIOTT STEPHEN W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001198449

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21639
		FILM NUMBER:		04943343

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NCO GROUP INC
		STREET 2:		507 PRUDENTIAL RD.
		CITY:			HORSHAM
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19044

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>p333355_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>0001198449</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ELLIOTT STEPHEN W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>NCO GROUP INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>507 PRUDENTIAL RD.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HORSHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19044</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Info. Tech. &amp; CIO</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>8120</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8120</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </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>11436</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-07-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>11436</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11436</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">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>
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