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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 GNhWUlQ+462hejqq23BVqiKHGK1yM7xHzdGwUOHADeTehJ0sCAnCJg6EOMliah23
 xNYluGOU8d6Y3MQnw86DoQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001125282-03-003590.txt : 20030521
<SEC-HEADER>0001125282-03-003590.hdr.sgml : 20030521
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030521170918
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001125282-03-003590
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030519
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030521

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:		03714945

	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:		515 PENNSYLVANIA AVE
		CITY:			FT WASHINGTON
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19034
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2157939300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		507 PRUDENTIAL ROAD
		CITY:			HORSHAM
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19044
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>b325104_form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-19</periodOfReport>

    <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>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>E.V.P., Info Tech and CIO</officerTitle>

        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>



    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>

        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>18.17</value>

        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-19</value>

        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>

        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>20000</value>

            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>

            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2004-05-19</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2010-05-19</value>

        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>

            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>20000</value>

            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>20000</value>

            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>

            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <natureOfOwnership>
                <value></value>

            </natureOfOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This option vests in three equal annual installments beginning on May 19, 2004. 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>2003-05-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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