<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>ex23.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
<TEXT>


                                                                      Exhibit 23


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                       ----------------------------------


We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-32439) of Old Republic  International  Corporation
of our report dated April 4, 2003  relating to the  financial  statements of the
Bituminous  401(k)  Savings  Plan,  which appears in this Form 11-K (as filed on
Form 10-K/A).


                                        /s/  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP


April 30, 2003
Chicago, Illinois


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>