EXHIBIT 99.16
 
                           CONSENT OF ALLEN T. NOBLE
 
    The undersigned hereby consents, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, to the references to him in the Joint Proxy
Statement-Prospectus of First Bank System, Inc. and U. S. Bancorp, which is part
of this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of First Bank System, Inc., with
respect to his being elected or appointed as a director of First Bank System,
Inc. under the circumstances described therein.
 
                                          /s/_ALLEN T. NOBLE ___________________
                                          Allen T. Noble
 
Portland, Oregon
 
May 15, 1997