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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QWofdEpEwJhQuavj57qrEhgTU6bbrrWU9uzbngxp0wYBaKYl4oJSCvoCkxNyohwk
 cEW6xftxiVoO0fPeAhilLg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-001497.txt : 20040121
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-001497.hdr.sgml : 20040121
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040121142444
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-001497
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040121
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040121

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KNUTSON GARY A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001185789

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19368
		FILM NUMBER:		04534774

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		520 MAIN AVE.
		CITY:			FARGO
		STATE:			ND
		ZIP:			58124
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7012985625

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>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 5 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2004-01-21</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000857593</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COMMUNITY FIRST BANKSHARES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CFBX</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001185789</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KNUTSON GARY A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>COMMUNITY FIRST BANKSHARES, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>520 MAIN AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FARGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>ND</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>58124</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>EVP &amp; Division President</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock (CFBX)</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-12-31</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>L</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1214</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>19160</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>401(k)</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable></derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Includes 1,214 shares purchased in the Company's 401(k) plan during 2003.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">Includes 5,734 shares held directly.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>Galen O. Skarphol, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2004-01-21</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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