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




                                FEBRUARY 8, 2005
                                (Date of Report)




                             CNA SURETY CORPORATION
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)




                                     1-13277
                              (Commission File No.)



                DELAWARE                                  34-4144905
      (State or other jurisdiction)            (IRS Employer Identification No.)


      CNA PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                         60685
(Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip code)


                                 (312) 822-5000
               (Registrant's telephone number, include area code)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act 
    (17 CFR 230.425)
    
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act 
    (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))






ITEM 8.01.       OTHER EVENTS

                 See Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K

ITEM 9.01.       FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

                 (c)     Exhibits

                         Exhibit 99 - CNA Surety Corporation Press Release
                         issued on February 8, 2005.







                                   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.





                                                       CNA SURETY CORPORATION
                                                       (Registrant)



                                                   By: /s/  John F. Corcoran
                                                       -------------------------

                                                       John F. Corcoran
                                                       Senior Vice President and
                                                         Chief Financial Officer









Dated: February 8, 2005






                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.

     99.     CNA Surety Corporation Press Release issued on February 8, 2005.