-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 D/nt0Q/C5x65Kivaevo9a+Yvj6fvEv/q8m96twQqNW7heytG9LEWFsli8ajoIEXk
 MO57nZM3aBiJDKh852D62g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-035577.txt : 20040712
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-035577.hdr.sgml : 20040712
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040712145254
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-035577
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040701
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040712

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Giambra Ernest T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001296844

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-08483
		FILM NUMBER:		04910071

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(440) 572-2400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		17800 ROYALTON ROAD
		CITY:			STRONGSVILLE
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44136

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CERES GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000215403
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LIFE INSURANCE [6311]
		IRS NUMBER:				341017531
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		17800 ROYALTON RD
		CITY:			STRONGSVILLE
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44136
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2165722400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		17800 ROYALTON RD
		CITY:			STRONGSVILLE
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44136

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CENTRAL RESERVE LIFE CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bcl08552_bcl1etg.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000215403</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CERES GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CERG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001296844</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Giambra Ernest T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>17800 ROYALTON ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>STRONGSVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44136</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Chief Marketing Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>non-qualified stock options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>6.14</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-07-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-07-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>100000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Kathleen L. Mesel as attorney-in-fact for Ernest T. Giambra, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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