-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 RkgEHGwO4hl3Vzwyv3DMKZFnccjVrpFWL84VnRJ7aEZDBZ0Yguc7t8EWg5xvaejc
 obRwCCnvrHDuflRkYs5qnA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-03-008810.txt : 20030509
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-03-008810.hdr.sgml : 20030509
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030509120137
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-03-008810
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030507
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030509

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MATHISEN DENNIS M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001038601

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19368
		FILM NUMBER:		03689496

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8433 E CAREFREE DRIVE
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 5511
		CITY:			CAREFREE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85377

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COMMUNITY FIRST BANKSHARES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000857593
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				460391436
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		520 MAIN AVENUE
		CITY:			FARGO
		STATE:			ND
		ZIP:			58124-0001
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7012985600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		520 MAIN AVENUE
		CITY:			FARGO
		STATE:			ND
		ZIP:			58124-0001
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>j0554_4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="no"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

<documentType>4</documentType>
  <periodOfReport>2003-05-07</periodOfReport>
  <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
<issuer>    <issuerCik>0000857593</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COMMUNITY FIRST BANKSHARES INC</issuerName>
<issuerTradingSymbol>CFBX</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
  <reportingOwner>
    <reportingOwnerId>
      <rptOwnerCik>0001038601</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MATHISEN DENNIS M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
<reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>1</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <nonDerivativeSecurity>
    <securityTitle>
      <value>Common Stock (CFBX)</value>
    </securityTitle>
    <transactionDate>
      <value>2003-05-07</value>
    </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
      <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
      <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
      <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
    <transactionTimeliness>
      <value/>
    </transactionTimeliness>
    <transactionAmounts>
      <transactionShares>
        <value>1273</value>
      </transactionShares>
      <transactionValue>
        <value>27.76</value>
      </transactionValue>
      <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        <value>D</value>
      </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
    </transactionAmounts>
    <postTransactionAmounts>
      <valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        <value>1339646</value>
      </valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
    </postTransactionAmounts>
    <ownershipNature>
      <directOrIndirectOwnership>
        <value>D</value>
      </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      <natureOfOwnership>
        <value/>
      </natureOfOwnership>
    </ownershipNature>
  </nonDerivativeSecurity>
  <derivativeSecurity>
    <securityTitle>
      <value>Option</value>
      <footnoteId id="F1"/>
    </securityTitle>
    <conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <value>20.375</value>
    </conversionOrExercisePrice>
    <transactionDate>
      <value>1999-04-27</value>
    </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
      <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
      <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
      <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
    <transactionTimeliness>
      <value>E</value>
    </transactionTimeliness>
    <transactionAmounts>
      <transactionShares>
        <value>4000</value>
      </transactionShares>
      <transactionValue>
        <value>0</value>
      </transactionValue>
      <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        <value>A</value>
      </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
    </transactionAmounts>
    <exerciseDate>
      <value>1999-04-27</value>
    </exerciseDate>
    <expirationDate>
      <value>2009-04-27</value>
    </expirationDate>
    <underlyingSecurity>
      <underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <value>Common Stock</value>
      </underlyingSecurityTitle>
      <underlyingSecurityShares>
        <value>4000</value>
      </underlyingSecurityShares>
    </underlyingSecurity>
    <postTransactionAmounts>
      <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        <value>4000</value>
      </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
    </postTransactionAmounts>
    <ownershipNature>
      <directOrIndirectOwnership>
        <value>D</value>
      </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      <natureOfOwnership>
        <value/>
      </natureOfOwnership>
    </ownershipNature>
  </derivativeSecurity>
  <derivativeSecurity>
    <securityTitle>
      <value>Option</value>
      <footnoteId id="F1"/>
    </securityTitle>
    <conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <value>15.875</value>
    </conversionOrExercisePrice>
    <transactionDate>
      <value>2000-04-25</value>
    </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
      <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
      <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
      <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
    <transactionTimeliness>
      <value>E</value>
    </transactionTimeliness>
    <transactionAmounts>
      <transactionShares>
        <value>4000</value>
      </transactionShares>
      <transactionValue>
        <value>0</value>
      </transactionValue>
      <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        <value>A</value>
      </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
    </transactionAmounts>
    <exerciseDate>
      <value>2000-04-25</value>
    </exerciseDate>
    <expirationDate>
      <value>2010-04-25</value>
    </expirationDate>
    <underlyingSecurity>
      <underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <value>Common Stock</value>
      </underlyingSecurityTitle>
      <underlyingSecurityShares>
        <value>4000</value>
      </underlyingSecurityShares>
    </underlyingSecurity>
    <postTransactionAmounts>
      <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        <value>4000</value>
      </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
    </postTransactionAmounts>
    <ownershipNature>
      <directOrIndirectOwnership>
        <value>D</value>
      </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      <natureOfOwnership>
        <value/>
      </natureOfOwnership>
    </ownershipNature>
  </derivativeSecurity>
  <derivativeSecurity>
    <securityTitle>
      <value>Option</value>
      <footnoteId id="F1"/>
    </securityTitle>
    <conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <value>21.49</value>
    </conversionOrExercisePrice>
    <transactionDate>
      <value>2001-04-24</value>
    </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
      <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
      <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
      <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
    <transactionTimeliness>
      <value>E</value>
    </transactionTimeliness>
    <transactionAmounts>
      <transactionShares>
        <value>4000</value>
      </transactionShares>
      <transactionValue>
        <value>0</value>
      </transactionValue>
      <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        <value>A</value>
      </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
    </transactionAmounts>
    <exerciseDate>
      <value>2001-04-24</value>
    </exerciseDate>
    <expirationDate>
      <value>2011-04-24</value>
    </expirationDate>
    <underlyingSecurity>
      <underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <value>Common Stock</value>
      </underlyingSecurityTitle>
      <underlyingSecurityShares>
        <value>4000</value>
      </underlyingSecurityShares>
    </underlyingSecurity>
    <postTransactionAmounts>
      <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        <value>4000</value>
      </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
    </postTransactionAmounts>
    <ownershipNature>
      <directOrIndirectOwnership>
        <value>D</value>
      </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      <natureOfOwnership>
        <value/>
      </natureOfOwnership>
    </ownershipNature>
  </derivativeSecurity>
  <derivativeSecurity>
    <securityTitle>
      <value>Option</value>
      <footnoteId id="F1"/>
    </securityTitle>
    <conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <value>26.55</value>
    </conversionOrExercisePrice>
    <transactionDate>
      <value>2002-04-23</value>
    </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
      <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
      <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
      <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
    <transactionTimeliness>
      <value>E</value>
    </transactionTimeliness>
    <transactionAmounts>
      <transactionShares>
        <value>4000</value>
      </transactionShares>
      <transactionValue>
        <value>0</value>
      </transactionValue>
      <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        <value>A</value>
      </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
    </transactionAmounts>
    <exerciseDate>
      <value>2002-04-23</value>
    </exerciseDate>
    <expirationDate>
      <value>2012-04-23</value>
    </expirationDate>
    <underlyingSecurity>
      <underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <value>Common Stock</value>
      </underlyingSecurityTitle>
      <underlyingSecurityShares>
        <value>4000</value>
      </underlyingSecurityShares>
    </underlyingSecurity>
    <postTransactionAmounts>
      <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        <value>4000</value>
      </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
    </postTransactionAmounts>
    <ownershipNature>
      <directOrIndirectOwnership>
        <value>D</value>
      </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      <natureOfOwnership>
        <value/>
      </natureOfOwnership>
    </ownershipNature>
  </derivativeSecurity>
  <derivativeSecurity>
    <securityTitle>
      <value>Option</value>
      <footnoteId id="F1"/>
    </securityTitle>
    <conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <value>26.29</value>
    </conversionOrExercisePrice>
    <transactionDate>
      <value>2003-04-22</value>
    </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
      <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
      <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
      <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
    <transactionTimeliness>
      <value>E</value>
    </transactionTimeliness>
    <transactionAmounts>
      <transactionShares>
        <value>4000</value>
      </transactionShares>
      <transactionValue>
        <value>0</value>
      </transactionValue>
      <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        <value>A</value>
      </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
    </transactionAmounts>
    <exerciseDate>
      <value>2003-04-22</value>
    </exerciseDate>
    <expirationDate>
      <value>2013-04-22</value>
    </expirationDate>
    <underlyingSecurity>
      <underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <value>Common Stock</value>
      </underlyingSecurityTitle>
      <underlyingSecurityShares>
        <value>4000</value>
      </underlyingSecurityShares>
    </underlyingSecurity>
    <postTransactionAmounts>
      <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        <value>4000</value>
      </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
    </postTransactionAmounts>
    <ownershipNature>
      <directOrIndirectOwnership>
        <value>D</value>
      </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      <natureOfOwnership>
        <value/>
      </natureOfOwnership>
    </ownershipNature>
  </derivativeSecurity>
  <footnotes>
    <footnote id="F1">Right to Buy</footnote>
  </footnotes>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>By Craig A. Weiss, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2003-05-08</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----