form8k_031303

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K


CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 17, 2003

Encore Capital Group, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware 000-26489 48-1090909
     (State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File Number) (I.R.S Employer
     incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)

5775 Roscoe Court
San Diego, California 92123
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(877) 445-4581
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)







Item 9.      Regulation FD Disclosure

     On March 17, 2003 the Company issued a press release announcing its unaudited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2002. A copy of the press release is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein solely for purposes of this Item 9.

     The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the exhibit, is furnished pursuant to Item 9 and shall not be deemed "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section. Furthermore, the information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the exhibit, shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of Encore Capital Group, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933.













SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

          
       ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.  
          
          
Date: March 17, 2003 By      /s/ Barry R. Barkley         
         Barry R. Barkley 
          Executive Vice President, 
         Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer 






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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit                          Description
99.1           Press release dated March 17, 2003






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