                                                                    Exhibit 99.1



                      Statement of Chief Executive Officer
         Pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code



     Pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code, I, Donald
H. Nikolaus, the President of Donegal Group Inc. (the "Company"), hereby certify
that, to the best of my knowledge:

     1. The Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31,
2002 (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.



Date:  March 28, 2003                                      s/Donald H. Nikolaus
                                                           ---------------------
                                                           Donald H. Nikolaus

