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): July 23, 1996





                         NORTH CENTRAL BANCSHARES, INC.
                               825 CENTRAL AVENUE
                             FORT DODGE, IOWA 50501
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

       IOWA                          0-27672                   42-1449849
       ----                          -------                   ----------
 (State or other jurisdiction   (Commission file            (I.R.S. Employer
       of incorporation)             Number)                Identification No.)





        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 515-576-7531



                                 NOT APPLICABLE
          (Former name or former address, if changes since last report)




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Item 5.           Other Events

         On July 23, 1996, North Central Bancshares, Inc. (the
"Company") issued limited financial information for the three and
six months ended June 30, 1996.

         A press release, issued on July 23, 1996, detailing the foregoing is
attached hereto as Exhibit 99 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7.           Financial Statements and Exhibits

         The following Exhibit is filed as part of this report:

                  Exhibit 99:               Press Release









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                                   SIGNATURES


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


                         NORTH CENTRAL BANCSHARES, INC.



                               Date: July 23, 1996




                          By: /S/ JOHN L. PIERSCHBACHER
                             -----------------------------

                             John L. Pierschbacher, CPA
                             Principal Financial Officer







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