<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE FIRST
BANK SYSTEM, INC. MARCH 31, 1996, 10-Q AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                       2,053,000
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                               0
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                               580,000
<TRADING-ASSETS>                               142,000
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                  4,430,000
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                     26,878,000
<ALLOWANCE>                                    530,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              36,572,000
<DEPOSITS>                                  24,346,000
<SHORT-TERM>                                 4,222,000
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                            991,000
<LONG-TERM>                                  3,504,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     96,000
<COMMON>                                       180,000
<OTHER-SE>                                   3,053,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>              36,572,000
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                574,700
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               68,700
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                11,200
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                               654,600
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                             167,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             280,000
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                          374,600
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                   31,000
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                              14,600
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                424,400
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                302,700
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     176,800
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   176,800
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.26
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.86
<LOANS-NON>                                    114,800
<LOANS-PAST>                                    42,800
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                   100
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                               473,500
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                   56,500
<RECOVERIES>                                    23,000
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                              530,100
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0