[MID CONTINENT BANCSHARES, INC. LETTERHEAD]












December 20, 1996

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

     On  behalf  of the  Board of  Directors  and  management  of Mid  Continent
Bancshares,  Inc.,  I  cordially  invite  you to attend  the  Annual  Meeting of
Stockholders  (the  "Meeting") to be held at the El Dorado  Country  Club,  1100
Country Club Lane,  El Dorado,  Kansas,  on January 23,  1997,  at 2:00 p.m. The
attached  Notice of Annual  Meeting  and Proxy  Statement  describe  the  formal
business to be transacted at the Meeting. During the Meeting, I will also report
on the operations of the Company.  Directors and officers of the Company will be
present to respond to any questions stockholders may have.

     WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND  THE  MEETING,  PLEASE  SIGN AND DATE THE
ENCLOSED  PROXY  CARD AND  RETURN  IT IN THE  ACCOMPANYING  POSTAGE-PAID  RETURN
ENVELOPE  AS  PROMPTLY  AS  POSSIBLE.  This will not  prevent you from voting in
person at the  Meeting,  but will  assure  that your vote is  counted if you are
unable to attend the Meeting. YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

                                          Sincerely,


                                          /s/ Richard T. Pottorff
                                          Richard T. Pottorff
                                          Chairman of the Board, President,
                                          and Chief Executive Officer
                                          Mid Continent Bancshares, Inc.









                        MID CONTINENT BANCSHARES, INC.
                               124 WEST CENTRAL
                           EL DORADO, KANSAS  67042
                                (316) 321-2700

                   NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                        TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 23, 1997

      NOTICE IS HEREBY  GIVEN  that the  Annual  Meeting  of  Stockholders  (the
"Meeting") of Mid Continent  Bancshares,  Inc. ("the Company"),  will be held at
the El Dorado  Country  Club,  1100 Country  Club Lane,  El Dorado,  Kansas,  on
January 23, 1997, at 2:00 p.m.

      A proxy card and a proxy statement for the Meeting are enclosed.

      The  Meeting  is for the  purpose  of  considering  and  acting  upon  the
following matters:

      1.  The election of three directors of the Company; and

      2.  The  ratification  of the  appointment  of  Deloitte  & Touche  LLP as
          independent auditors of Mid Continent Bancshares,  Inc. for the fiscal
          year ending September 30, 1997.

The transaction of such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or
any  adjournments  thereof may also be acted upon. The Board of Directors is not
aware of any other business to come before the Meeting.  Any action may be taken
on the foregoing  proposals at the Meeting on the date specified above or on any
date or dates to which,  by  original or later  adjournment,  the Meeting may be
adjourned.  Stockholders  of record at the close of business on December 5, 1996
are  the  stockholders  entitled  to vote at the  Meeting  and any  adjournments
thereof.

EACH  STOCKHOLDER,  WHETHER  OR NOT HE OR SHE PLANS TO ATTEND  THE  MEETING,  IS
REQUESTED TO SIGN,  DATE,  AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED  PROXY  WITHOUT  DELAY IN THE
ENCLOSED  POSTAGE-PAID  ENVELOPE.  ANY  PROXY  GIVEN BY THE  STOCKHOLDER  MAY BE
REVOKED BY FILING WITH THE  SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY A WRITTEN  REVOCATION  OR A
DULY EXECUTED PROXY BEARING A LATER DATE. ANY STOCKHOLDER PRESENT AT THE MEETING
MAY REVOKE HIS OR HER PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON ON EACH MATTER BROUGHT BEFORE THE
MEETING.  HOWEVER,  IF YOU ARE A STOCKHOLDER  WHOSE SHARES ARE NOT REGISTERED IN
YOUR OWN NAME, YOU WILL NEED ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION FROM YOUR RECORD HOLDER TO
VOTE IN PERSON AT THE MEETING.


                                    BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS


                                    /s/ Cheryl A. Wilkerson
                                    Cheryl A. Wilkerson
                                    Secretary

El Dorado, Kansas
December 20, 1996

IMPORTANT:  THE PROMPT  RETURN OF PROXIES  WILL SAVE THE  COMPANY THE EXPENSE OF
FURTHER  REQUESTS  FOR  PROXIES  IN ORDER TO INSURE A QUORUM AT THE  MEETING.  A
SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED
IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.









                                PROXY STATEMENT
                                      OF
                        MID CONTINENT BANCSHARES, INC.
                               124 WEST CENTRAL
                            EL DORADO KANSAS  67042


                        ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                               JANUARY 23, 1997


                                    GENERAL

      This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection  with the  solicitation of
proxies  by the  Board of  Directors  of Mid  Continent  Bancshares,  Inc.  (the
"Company") to be used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company which
will be held at the El Dorado  Country Club,  1100 Country Club Lane, El Dorado,
Kansas,  on January 23, 1997, 2:00 p.m. local time. The  accompanying  Notice of
Meeting and this Proxy  Statement are being first mailed to  stockholders  on or
about  December  20, 1996.  The Company  holds all of the  outstanding  stock of
Mid-Continent Federal Savings Bank (the "Savings Bank").

      At the Meeting,  stockholders will consider and vote upon (i) the election
of three  directors,  and (ii) the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte &
Touche LLP as  independent  auditors  of the  Company for the fiscal year ending
September  30,  1997.  The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board" or the
"Board of Directors") knows of no additional  matters that will be presented for
consideration  at the  Meeting.  Execution of a proxy,  however,  confers on the
designated proxy holder  discretionary  authority to vote the shares represented
by such proxy in accordance with their best judgment on such other business,  if
any, that may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.


                      VOTING AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES

      Stockholders  who execute  proxies  retain the right to revoke them at any
time. Unless so revoked, the shares represented by such proxies will be voted at
the  Meeting  and all  adjournments  thereof.  Proxies may be revoked by written
notice to the  Secretary of the Company at the address above or by the filing of
a later dated proxy prior to a vote being taken on a particular  proposal at the
Meeting.  A proxy will not be voted if a  stockholder  attends  the  Meeting and
votes in person.  Proxies  solicited by the Board of Directors  will be voted in
accordance  with  the  directions  given  therein.  Where  no  instructions  are
indicated,  proxies  will be voted "FOR" the nominees  for  directors  set forth
below and  "FOR" the other  listed  proposal.  The proxy  confers  discretionary
authority on the persons  named  therein to vote with respect to the election of
any person as a director where the nominee is unable to serve, or for good cause
will not serve, and matters incident to the conduct of the Meeting.


                VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF

      Stockholders  of record as of the close of  business  on  December 5, 1996
(the "Record Date"),  are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock of
the Company  ("Common  Stock") then held. As of the Record Date, the Company had
2,016,750 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.







      The articles of incorporation of the Company ("Articles of Incorporation")
provide that in no event shall any record owner of any outstanding  Common Stock
which  is  beneficially  owned,   directly  or  indirectly,   by  a  person  who
beneficially  owns in  excess  of 10% of the then  outstanding  shares of Common
Stock (the  "Limit") be entitled or  permitted  to any vote with  respect to the
shares held in excess of the Limit.  Beneficial ownership is determined pursuant
to  the  definition  in  the  Articles  of  Incorporation  and  includes  shares
beneficially  owned by such person or any of his or her affiliates or associates
(as defined in the Articles of  Incorporation),  shares which such person or his
or her  affiliates or associates  have the right to acquire upon the exercise of
conversion  rights or options  and shares as to which such person and his or her
affiliates or associates have or share investment or voting power, but shall not
include shares  beneficially  owned by any employee  stock  ownership or similar
plan of the issuer or any subsidiary.

      The  presence  in  person  or by  proxy  of at  least  a  majority  of the
outstanding  shares of Common  Stock  entitled  to vote (after  subtracting  any
shares held in excess of the Limit) is necessary  to  constitute a quorum at the
Meeting.  In the event there are not sufficient  votes for a quorum or to ratify
any proposals at the time of the Meeting,  the Meeting may be adjourned in order
to permit the further solicitation of proxies.

      As to the  election of  directors,  the proxy being  provided by the Board
enables a stockholder  to vote for the election of the nominees  proposed by the
Board,  or to withhold  authority to vote for one or more of the nominees  being
proposed.  Under Kansas law and the Company's Bylaws, directors are elected by a
plurality of votes cast,  without respect to either (i) Broker Non-Votes (shares
for which a broker  indicates  on the proxy that it does not have  discretionary
authority  as to such shares to vote on such matter) or (ii) proxies as to which
authority to vote for one or more of the nominees being proposed is withheld.

      As to the ratification of independent auditors as set forth in Proposal II
by checking the  appropriate  box, a stockholder  may: vote "FOR" the item, (ii)
vote "AGAINST" the item, or (iii) "ABSTAIN" with respect to the item.  Under the
Company's  Articles of Incorporation  and Bylaws,  unless otherwise  required by
law,  all  other  matters  shall be  determined  by a  majority  of  votes  cast
affirmatively  or  negatively  without  regard to (a) Broker  Non-Votes,  or (b)
proxies marked "ABSTAIN" as to that matter.

      Persons and groups owning in excess of 5% of the Common Stock are required
to file certain  reports  regarding  such  ownership  pursuant to the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended (the "1934 Act").  The  following  table sets
forth,  as of the  Record  Date,  certain  information  as to the  Common  Stock
beneficially owned by persons and groups in excess of 5% of the Common Stock and
the ownership of all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group.
Management  knows of no person  other than  those set forth  below who owns more
than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at the Record Date.

                                     -2-







                                                                             Percent of Shares of
                                                     Amount and Nature of         Common Stock
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner                 Beneficial Ownership         Outstanding
- ------------------------------------                 --------------------    --------------------

Mid-Continent Federal Savings Bank
Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust ("ESOP")
124 West Central
                                                                                  
El Dorado, Kansas (1)                                     135,266                       6.7%

Wellington Management Company
75 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts (2)                                 231,400                      11.5%

First Financial Fund, Inc.
One Seaport Plaza - 25th Floor
New York, NY 10292 (3)                                    181,000                       9.0%

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group
(8 persons)(4)                                            288,985                      13.7%




- ----------------------------------
(1)   The ESOP purchased such shares for the exclusive  benefit of plan employee
      participants  with funds borrowed from the Company.  These shares are held
      in a  suspense  account  and will be  allocated  among  ESOP  participants
      annually on the basis of compensation as the ESOP debt is repaid. The ESOP
      Trustee must vote all shares  allocated to participant  accounts under the
      ESOP as directed by participants.  Unallocated shares and shares for which
      no timely  voting  directors is received will be voted by the ESOP Trustee
      as directed by the ESOP  Committee.  As of the Record Date,  19,666 shares
      have been allocated under the ESOP to participant accounts.
(2)   Based on a Schedule 13G dated February 1996. Amount shown may include some
      or all of the shares of Common Stock held by First Financial Fund, Inc.
(3)   Based on a Schedule 13G dated February 1996.
(4)   Includes  shares of Common  Stock held  directly  as well as by spouses or
      minor children,  in trust and other indirect ownership,  over which shares
      the  individuals  effectively  exercise sole voting and investment  power,
      unless otherwise indicated.  Includes options that may be exercised within
      60 days of the Record Date to purchase  82,325 shares of Common Stock held
      by  executive  officers  and  directors  granted  under the Mid  Continent
      Bancshares,  Inc.  1994 Stock Option Plan (the "1994 Stock Option  Plan").
      Includes 39,102 shares of Common Stock held by the  Mid-Continent  Federal
      Savings  Bank  Management  Stock Bonus Plan (the  "Management  Stock Bonus
      Plan") over which shares  individuals in the named group  exercise  shared
      voting and investment power. Excludes 131,671 shares (135,266 shares minus
      3,595 shares allocated to executive  officers) held by the ESOP over which
      certain  directors,  as trustees to the ESOP,  exercise  shared voting and
      investment  power.  Such individuals  disclaim  beneficial  ownership with
      respect to such shares held by the ESOP.


            SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

      Section  16(a)  of the  1934  Act  requires  the  Company's  officers  and
directors,  and persons who own more than ten  percent of the Common  Stock,  to
file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of the Common Stock, on Forms
3, 4, and 5, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and to

                                     -3-





provide  copies of those  Forms 3, 4, and 5 to the  Company.  The Company is not
aware of any beneficial  owner, as defined under Section 16(a), of more than ten
percent of the Common Stock.

      Based upon a review of the copies of the forms  furnished  to the Company,
or written  representations  from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were
required,  the Company  believes  that all  Section  16(a)  filing  requirements
applicable to its executive officers and directors were complied with during the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1996.


                                    PROPOSAL I - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

      The Articles of Incorporation require that directors be divided into three
classes, as nearly equal in number as possible,  each class to serve for a three
year period,  with  approximately  one-third of the directors elected each year.
The Board of Directors  currently consists of six members.  Three directors will
be elected at the Meeting,  two to serve for a three-year term, and one to serve
for a one-year term, as noted below, or until his successor has been elected and
qualified.

      Should  the  number  of   directors   of  the  Company  be  reduced,   the
directorship(s)  eliminated shall be allocated among classes appropriate so that
the  number  of  directors  in each  class is as  specified  in the  immediately
preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no decrease in the number of
directors  shall  have  the  effect  of  shortening  the  term of any  incumbent
director.

      Richard T.  Pottorff,  Kenneth B.  Dellett,  and Ron J.  McGraw  have been
nominated  by the Board of Directors to serve as  directors.  Messrs.  Pottorff,
Dellett,  and McGraw are currently members of the Board. It is intended that the
persons  named in the proxies  solicited by the Board will vote for the election
of the named nominees.  If a nominee is unable to serve, the shares  represented
by all valid  proxies will be voted for the election of such  substitute  as the
Board of  Directors  may  recommend  or the size of the Board may be  reduced to
eliminate the vacancy.  At this time, the Board knows of no reason why a nominee
might be unavailable to serve.

      The following  table sets forth the nominees and the directors  continuing
in office, their name, age, the year they first became a director of the Company
or the Savings Bank,  the  expiration  date of their current term as a director,
and the number and percentage of shares of the Common Stock beneficially  owned.
Each  director of the Company is also a member of the Board of  Directors of the
Savings Bank.




                                                              Shares of
                               Year First     Current       Common Stock
                               Elected or     Term to    Beneficially Owned    Percent
Name                Age(1)    Appointed(2)    Expire          (3)(4)(5)        of Class
- ----                ------    ------------    -------        -----------       --------

                                BOARD NOMINEES FOR TERM TO EXPIRE IN 2000

                                                                     
Richard T. Pottorff   62          1978         1997           69,495(6)            3.4%

Kenneth B. Dellett    66          1975         1997           33,737(7)            1.7%

                                               BOARD NOMINEE FOR TERM TO EXPIRE IN 1998

Ron J. McGraw         57          1981         1997           43,545(7)            2.2%



                                       -4-









                                      DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE

                                                                     
Thomas C. Hand        66          1986         1999           32,737(7)            1.6%

Donald Adlesperger    67          1994         1999           21,000               1.0%

Larry R. Goddard      50          1994         1998           46,799(8)            2.3%



- ------------------------------
(1)   At September 30, 1996.
(2)   Refers to the year the  individual  first became a director of the Company
      or the Savings Bank. All directors of the Savings Bank during January 1994
      became directors of the Company when it was incorporated in January 1994.
(3)   Includes  shares of Common  Stock held  directly  as well as by spouses or
      minor children,  in trust and other indirect ownership,  over which shares
      the  individuals  effectively  exercise sole voting and investment  power,
      unless otherwise indicated.
(4)   Beneficial ownership as of the Record Date.
(5)   Excludes  shares of Common Stock held by the  Management  Stock Bonus Plan
      over which Directors  Dellett,  Hand and McGraw exercise shared voting and
      dispositive power solely by reason of serving as a trustee.
(6)   Includes  25,262  shares of Common Stock that may be acquired  through the
      exercise  of stock  options  which  are  currently  exercisable  or become
      exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
(7)   Excludes 135,266 shares of Common Stock held under the ESOP for which such
      individual serves as a member of the ESOP Committee or as an ESOP Trustee.
      Excludes 36,405 shares of Common Stock held by the Management  Stock Bonus
      Plan  (39,102  shares  minus 2,697  shares  that have been  granted to but
      remain unvested for the individual) for which such individual  serves as a
      trustee.  Such individual  disclaims  beneficial ownership with respect to
      such shares held in a fiduciary capacity. Includes 11,241 shares of Common
      Stock that may be acquired through the exercise of stock options which are
      currently exerciseable or become exerciseable within 60 days of the Record
      Date.
(8)   Includes  16,270  shares of Common stock that may be acquired  through the
      exercise  of stock  options  which  are  currently  exercisable  or become
      exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.

      The principal occupation for the last five years of each director and each
nominee for director of the Company is set forth below.

     Richard T.  Pottorff  has served as a Director  and  Officer of the Savings
Bank since 1978 and of the Company since its  incorporation in January 1994. Mr.
Pottorff  is also a past  Director  of the FHLB of  Topeka  and has  served as a
member of the El Dorado  Chamber of Commerce,  the Wichita  Association  of Real
Estate  Brokers and the  Wichita  Homebuilders  Association.  In  addition,  Mr.
Pottorff  is the  Chairman of the Federal  and State  Affairs  Committee  of the
Heartland Community Bankers Association. Mr. Pottorff is also a past Chairman of
the Heartland Community Bankers Association.

     Kenneth B.  Dellett has been a Director of the Savings  Bank since 1975 and
of the Company since its  incorporation  in January 1994. Dr. Dellett is retired
from being self  employed as a  physician.  He is a past member of the El Dorado
Chamber of Commerce.  Dr.  Dellett is also a member of the  University of Kansas
Medical  Alumni  Association  and the Kansas City Society of  Ophthalmology  and
Otolaryngology.


                                     -5-





     Ron J. McGraw has been a Director of the Savings Bank since 1981 and of the
Company since its  incorporation  in January 1994. Mr. McGraw is also President,
Chairman of the Board and a majority owner of Sunflower Roofing, Inc., a roofing
contractor.  Mr.  McGraw  was a Board  member  of the  Susan B.  Allen  Memorial
Hospital for 15 years and a Member of the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce.

     Thomas C. Hand has served as a Director of the Savings  Bank since 1986 and
of the  Company  since  its  incorporation  in  January  1994.  Mr.  Hand is the
President,  Chief  Executive  Officer and majority owner of OTASCO of El Dorado,
Inc., a real estate  company doing  business as Hand Realty  Company.  He is the
past  President of the Board of Directors of the Susan B. Allen  Hospital and is
currently  the  Secretary/Treasurer  of the El  Dorado  Area  Hospital  Services
Foundation.

     Donald  Adlesperger  has served as a Director of the  Savings  Bank and the
Company since 1994. Mr.  Adlesperger  is President of Triple A Builders  Supply,
which  includes  stores in El Dorado,  Augusta,  and Newton,  and also the Big A
Supply  Wholesale  Electric  Store  in El  Dorado.  Mr.  Adlesperger  is a  Past
Commissioner for the City of El Dorado.

     Larry R.  Goddard has been with the Savings  Bank since 1978 and has served
as a Director of the Savings Bank and the Company since 1994.  Mr.  Goddard is a
past President of the Mid-West Savings  Conference and has served as Chairman of
the  Real  Estate  Mortgage   Committee  of  the  Heartland   Community  Bankers
Association.  He is also a member of the Lions Club, a member of the Partners in
Education,  a director of El Dorado,  Inc., and a member of the Community Action
for Retail & Revitalization Board.

Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors

     The  Board of  Directors  of the  Company  conducts  its  business  through
meetings of the Board and through  activities of its committees.  All committees
act for both the  Company  and the  Savings  Bank.  During the fiscal year ended
September  30,  1996,  the Board of Directors  held 12 regular  meetings and one
special  meeting.  No director  attended fewer than 75% of the total meetings of
the Board of Directors of the Savings Bank or the Company and committees  during
the time such director served during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996.

      The Company's full Board of Directors  acts as a nominating  committee for
selecting the management  nominees for election as directors in accordance  with
the Company's Bylaws.  This is not a standing  committee.  In its deliberations,
the  Nominating  Committee  considers the  candidate's  knowledge of the banking
business and  involvement  in community,  business and civic  affairs,  and also
considers whether the candidate would allow the Board to continue its geographic
diversity that provides for adequate representation of each of its market areas.
A stockholder  recommending a nominee must provide written notice  delivered to,
or mailed and  received  at, the  Secretary of the Company not less than 60 days
prior to the  anniversary  date of the immediately  preceding  annual meeting of
stockholders  of the  Company.  The notice must set forth  certain  information,
including but not limited to name,  age,  business,  and  residence  address and
ownership  interest of both the stockholder  and the nominee,  as set forth more
fully in Article 7.F of the Articles of Incorporation.  During fiscal year 1996,
the Board of Directors met one time as the Nominating Committee.

     The Audit  Committee is comprised of Directors  Dellett,  McGraw,  Hand and
Adlesperger.  The Audit Committee annually selects the independent  auditors and
meets with the accountants to discuss the

                                     -6-





annual audit. The Audit Committee is further  responsible for internal  controls
for financial  reporting.  The Audit Committee,  a standing committee,  met four
times in fiscal year 1996.

Directors' Compensation

      Each member of the Board of  Directors  of the Savings  Bank  currently is
paid a fee of $900 per month plus $200 for each  meeting  attended,  except that
President Richard T. Pottorff and Executive Vice President Larry Goddard receive
only the $900 Director's fee. Each non-employee member of the Company's Board of
Directors receives a Director's fee of $100 per quarter. The Savings Bank paid a
total of $74,400 and the Company paid a total of $1,600 in  director's  fees for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996.

      Outside  Director  Consultation  and  Retirement  Plan. The Savings Bank's
Board adopted a consultation  and retirement plan (the  "Consultation  Plan") to
provide  retirement  benefits  to  directors  of the  Savings  Bank  who are not
officers or employees ("Outside  Directors"),  which became effective on January
1, 1995. The Outside  Directors have provided  expertise in enabling the Savings
Bank to experience  successful growth and  profitability.  The Consultation Plan
will help to insure that the Savings  Bank has the  continued  services of these
persons as  directors  to assist in the conduct of the Savings  Bank's  business
affairs in the future. Any director who has served as an Outside Director for at
least ten years as of January  1, 1994,  is a  participant  in the  Consultation
Plan.  Within 30 days of a  participant's  termination  as a  director  with the
Savings Bank upon attainment of the mandatory retirement age 75, any participant
who has agreed to provide  consulting  services to the Savings  Bank  thereafter
shall be designated as a consulting director. A consulting director will be paid
a $300 monthly stipend under the  Consultation  Plan for a period of 120 months.
If the consulting  director shall not survive to receive all 120 payments,  such
payments shall  nevertheless be made to the surviving spouse, if applicable,  or
secondarily  to the  participant's  estate.  At the expiration of the period for
which the  participant  is  entitled  to  benefits,  his status as a  consulting
director shall cease. In the event of the death, disability, or retirement on or
after age 65 of a director  having  completed at least 10 years of service or in
the event of a change of control of the Savings  Bank or the  Company  whereby a
director  shall no longer remain a director of the Savings Bank or the successor
entity,  then  benefits  payable shall  commence as if such director  shall have
actually  attained  age 75. The  Consultation  Plan is  unfunded.  All  benefits
payable  under the plan will be paid by the Savings  Bank from  current  assets.
There are no tax  consequences  to either the director or the Savings Bank prior
to payment of benefits.  Upon receipt of payment of benefits,  the director will
recognize taxable ordinary income in the amount of such payment received and the
Savings  Bank  will be  entitled  to  recognize  a  tax-deductible  compensation
expense.

      Stock  Awards.  On January  27,  1995,  the  stockholders  of the  Company
approved the Mid Continent Bancshares,  Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan ("1994 Stock
Option Plan") and the Mid-Continent  Federal Savings Bank Management Stock Bonus
Plan  ("Management  Stock Bonus Plan").  Pursuant to the terms of the 1994 Stock
Option Plan, each non-employee  director received (as of the date of stockholder
approval)  options  to  purchase  11,241  shares  of  Common  Stock.  Under  the
Management  Stock  Bonus Plan,  each  non-employee  director  (as of the date of
stockholder  approval these directors were Directors Dellett,  Hand, and McGraw)
received 4,496 shares of restricted stock. Options granted to these non-employee
directors  became  exercisable  on the grant date.  Restricted  stock granted to
these  non-employee  directors vested 20% on June 27, 1995 and an additional 20%
annually thereafter.


                                     -7-





Executive Compensation

      Summary  Compensation  Table.  The following table sets forth the cash and
non-cash compensation awarded to or earned by the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company for the fiscal  years  provided  below.  The  Company  has no  full-time
employees,  relying upon employees of the Savings Bank for the limited  services
required by the Company.  All compensation shown in the following table was paid
by the Savings Bank.




                                                                         Long Term Compensation
                                            Annual Compensation                  Awards
                                  -------------------------------------  -----------------------
                                                                                      Securities
                                                                         Restricted   Underlying
Name and                                                Other Annual        Stock      Options/     All Other
Principal Position     Year       Salary      Bonus    Compensation(1)   Awards($)(2)   SARs(#)   Compensation(4)
- ------------------     ----     ---------    -------   ---------------   ------------ ----------  ---------------


                                                                                    
Richard T. Pottorff    1996     $ 114,500    $33,911      $13,885        $     --          --        $21,905
President and Chief    1995     $ 114,500    $ 5,250      $ 2,581        $192,312(3)   37,895        $11,090
Executive Officer      1994     $ 114,500    $55,024      $ 2,692        $     --          --        $ 1,691


Larry R. Goddard       1996     $  86,000    $24,889      $12,911        $     --          --        $17,395
Chief Operating        1995     $  86,000    $ 3,321      $ 2,519        $147,933(3)   24,405        $ 8,155
Officer and Chief      1994     $  82,800    $39,320      $ 2,301        $     --          --        $ 1,245
Financial Officer

Harold G. Siemens      1996     $  84,400    $16,504       $3,000        $     --          --        $14,860
Senior Vice            1995     $  82,000    $ 2,526       $3,000        $ 72,803(3)   10,606        $ 7,533
President-Lending      1994     $  78,800    $31,045       $3,120        $     --          --        $ 1,081



- ------------------------
(1)  Includes  the value of certain  other  benefits,  such as travel  expenses,
     automobile allowances,  and club membership fees. For fiscal year 1996, for
     each of Messrs. Pottorff and Goddard, includes $10,800 in director's fees.
(2)  On September 30, 1996, Mr. Pottorff had 9,836 shares, Mr. Goddard had 7,554
     shares,  and Mr.  Siemens  had 3,718  shares,  of  restricted  stock in the
     aggregate  which had a total  value of  $186,884,  $143,526,  and  $70,642,
     respectively  (calculated by multiplying the aggregate number of restricted
     stock by the Common Stock's  closing market price as of the last day of the
     1996 fiscal year). Dividends are paid on the restricted stock awarded.
(3)  Calculated by multiplying  the number of shares of restricted  stock by the
     closing price of $11.75 on January 27, 1995, the date of grant.
(4)  For Mr.  Pottorff,  for fiscal year 1994,  consists  of the Savings  Bank's
     contribution  to its 401(k)  Savings Plan of $1,691;  for fiscal year 1995,
     consists of an  allocation  of 485.67 shares of Common Stock under the ESOP
     valued at $5,342 (based upon the Common Stock's  closing price of $11.00 on
     December 30, 1994), the Savings Bank payment to the pension plan of $4,365,
     and the dollar  value of  insurance  premiums  paid by the Savings  Bank of
     $1,383;  and for fiscal  year 1996,  consists  of an  allocation  of 904.33
     shares of Common  Stock  under the ESOP  valued at $16,730  (based upon the
     Common Stock's  closing price of $18.50 on December 29, 1995),  the Savings
     Bank  payment  to the  pension  plan of  $3,792,  and the  dollar  value of
     insurance premiums paid by the Savings Bank of $1,383. For Mr. Goddard, for
     fiscal year 1994, consists of the Savings Bank's contribution to its 401(k)
     Savings Plan of $1,245; for fiscal year 1995,  consists of an allocation of
     398.06  shares of Common Stock under the ESOP valued at $4,379  (based upon
     the Common  Stock's  closing  price of $11.00 on December  30,  1994),  the
     Savings Bank payment (footnotes continued on following page)

                                     -8-





      (footnotes continued from prior page)

      to the pension plan of $3,566,  and the dollar value of insurance premiums
      paid by the Savings Bank of $210; and for fiscal year 1996, consists of an
      allocation  of  785.04  shares of Common  Stock  under the ESOP  valued at
      $14,523 (based upon the Common Stock's closing price of $18.50 on December
      29, 1995), the Savings Bank payment to the pension plan of $2,597, and the
      dollar value of insurance  premiums paid by the Savings Bank of $275.  For
      Mr.  Siemens,  for  fiscal  year  1994,  consists  of the  Savings  Bank's
      contribution  to its 401(k) Savings Plan of $1,081;  for fiscal year 1995,
      consists of an  allocation of 369.51 shares of Common Stock under the ESOP
      valued at $4,065 (based upon the Common Stock's closing price of $11.00 on
      December  30,  1994),  the Savings  Bank  payment to the  pension  plan of
      $3,306,  and the dollar  value of insurance  premiums  paid by the Savings
      Bank of $162;  and for fiscal  year 1996,  consists  of an  allocation  of
      652.11 shares of Common Stock under the ESOP valued at $12,064 (based upon
      the Common  Stock's  closing  price of $18.50 on December 29,  1995),  the
      Savings Bank  payment to the pension plan of $2,542,  and the dollar value
      of insurance premiums paid by the Savings Bank of $254.

      Employment  Agreements.  The Savings Bank has entered  into an  employment
agreement with Richard T. Pottorff,  President and Chief Executive Officer.  The
employment  agreement  is for a term of three  years  and has a base  salary  of
$114,500.  The  employment  agreement is terminable by the Savings Bank for just
cause.  Just cause is  defined  in the  agreement  as  termination  by reason of
personal  dishonesty;  incompetence;  willful misconduct;  breach of a fiduciary
duty involving  personal profit;  intentional  failure to perform stated duties;
willful violation of any law, rule, regulation (other than traffic violations or
similar  offenses);  entering into a final  cease-and-desist  order; or material
breach of any provision of the  agreement.  If the  agreement is terminated  for
just cause, Mr. Pottorff only receives his salary up to the date of termination.
If the Savings Bank terminates the agreement without just cause, Mr. Pottorff is
entitled to a continuation  of salary from the date of  termination  through the
remaining term of the agreement.

      The agreement  provides that in the event of  involuntary  termination  of
employment in connection  with, or within one year after,  any change in control
of the Company or the Savings  Bank not approved by  two-thirds  of the Board of
Directors,  Mr. Pottorff will be paid a lump sum equal to 2.99 times his average
taxable  compensation paid during the five years prior to the change in control.
If a lump sum payment had been made as of September 30, 1996, Mr. Pottorff would
have  received a payment of up to $484,100.  The payment  would be an expense to
the Savings  Bank,  reducing net income and the Savings  Bank's  capital by that
amount. The employment  agreement can be renewed at the end of the 36 month term
if the Board of  Directors  determines  that Mr.  Pottorff  has met the  Board's
requirements and standards.

      The Savings Bank has entered into a nearly identical  agreement with Larry
R.  Goddard  that  provides  for a base salary of $86,000 and, if a lump sum had
been paid as of September 30, 1996 due to a change in control, Mr. Goddard would
have received a payment of up to $354,500.

      1994 Stock  Option  Plan.  The purpose of the 1994 Stock Option Plan is to
provide additional incentive to certain officers,  directors,  and key employees
by  facilitating  their  purchase of a stock  interest in the Company.  The 1994
Stock  Option Plan became  effective on January 27, 1995 and provides for a term
of ten years,  after which no awards may be made,  unless earlier  terminated by
the Board of Directors pursuant to the terms of the 1994 Stock Option Plan.


                                     -9-







              AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FY-END
                                     OPTION/SAR VALUES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Number of Securities
                                                Underlying Unexercised         Value of Unexercised
                       Shares                       Options/SARs               in-the-Money Options/SARs
                    Acquired on      Value       at Fiscal Year-End            at Fiscal Year-End (1)
                      Exercise      Realized             (#)                            ($)
       Name             (#)           ($)       Exercisable/Unexercisale      Exercisable/Unexercisable
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           
Richard T. Pottorff      0             $0          12,631 / 25,264               $91,575 / $183,164
Larry R. Goddard         0             $0           8,135 / 16,270               $59,979 / $117,958
Harold G. Siemens        0             $0           3,535 /  7,071               $25,629 / $ 51,265



- -------------------------------
(1)  Based  upon the  difference  between  an  exercise  price of $11.75 and the
     closing price of the Common Stock on September 30, 1996 of $19.00.

      Pension Plan. The Savings Bank sponsors a  tax-qualified  defined  benefit
pension plan (the "Pension Plan").  All full-time  employees of the Savings Bank
are eligible to participate after working 1,000 hours during one year of service
and  attainment  of age 21. A qualifying  employee  becomes  fully vested in the
Pension  Plan upon  completion  of five years of service.  The  Pension  Plan is
intended to comply with ERISA.

     The  Pension  Plan  provides  for monthly  payments  to each  participating
employee at normal  retirement age (age 65). The monthly  benefits payable under
the Pension Plan are equal to, for all plan years after 1976, 2.35% of the first
$833 of monthly  compensation during the plan year plus 2.95% of that portion of
monthly  compensation  during the plan year that exceeds $833. A participant may
elect an early  retirement at age 60 with 10 years of service,  and may elect to
receive a reduced monthly  benefit.  Benefits are paid for a period of up to 180
months following retirement.  The Pension Plan also provides for payments in the
event of disability or death.  The estimated  annual  benefits  payable upon the
retirement of Mr. Pottorff (at normal  retirement age) is $61,237.  Benefits are
payable  in the form of  various  annuity  alternatives,  including  a joint and
survivor option,  or in a lump-sum  amount.  Benefits under the Pension Plan are
not subject to offset for Social Security benefits.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

     For the fiscal year ended  September 30, 1996, the  Compensation  Committee
consisted of Messrs.  Pottorff,  Dellett,  McGraw,  Hand, and  Adlesperger.  The
Compensation  Committee,  a  standing  committee,  meets  annually  and  reviews
performance,  industry  salary  surveys and the  recommendations  of  management
concerning  compensation  prior to the time such matters are  considered  by the
Board of  Directors.  Mr.  Richard T.  Pottorff  is the  Chairman  of the Board,
President  and Chief  Executive  Officer of the Savings  Bank and  Company.  Mr.
Pottorff does not participate in Compensation  Committee  matters  involving his
compensation.

Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation

     The  executive  officers of the Company and the Savings Bank consist of Mr.
Richard T.  Pottorff  (President,  Chief  Executive  Officer),  Larry R. Goddard
(Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer),
and Harold G. Siemens (Senior Vice President).


                                     -10-





      The Compensation  Committee meets annually to review  compensation paid to
executive  officers and to determine the compensation  levels for all employees.
The Compensation  Committee  reviews various  published  surveys of compensation
paid to employees  performing  similar  duties for depository  institutions  and
their holding  companies,  with a particular  focus on the level of compensation
paid by  comparable  institutions  in and  around  the  Company's  market  area,
including  institutions  with total  assets of  between  $100  million  and $300
million.   Although  the  Compensation   Committee  does  not  specifically  set
compensation levels for executive officers based on whether particular financial
goals have been achieved by the Company the Compensation Committee does consider
the overall  profitability  of the Company  when making  these  decisions.  With
respect to each particular employee, his or her particular  contributions to the
Company over the past year are also evaluated.

      During the fiscal year ended  September  30,  1996,  Richard T.  Pottorff,
President  and Chief  Executive  Officer,  received  an  increase in salary from
$114,500  to  $116,900.   The  Compensation   Committee   considers  the  annual
compensation paid to chief executive  officers of financial  institutions in the
State of Kansas and  surrounding  states with assets of between $100 million and
$300  million  and  the  individual  job   performance  of  such  individual  in
consideration of its specific salary decision with respect to compensation to be
paid to the President in the future.

      Compensation Committee for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996:

            Richard T. Pottorff
            Kenneth B. Dellett
            Ron J. McGraw
            Thomas C. Hand
            Donald Adlesperger

Stock Performance Graph

      Set forth below is a stock  performance  graph  comparing  the  cumulative
total shareholder return on the Common Stock with (a) the total return index for
domestic  companies  listed on the Nasdaq  Stock Market and (b) the total return
index for banks listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. These total return indices of
the Nasdaq Stock  Market are  computed by the Center for Research in  Securities
Prices ("CRSP") at the University of Chicago.  All three investment  comparisons
assume the investment of $100 as of June 27, 1994 (the date of initial  issuance
of the Common Stock) and the  reinvestment  of dividends when paid. In the stock
performance  graph  below,  the  periods  compared  were  June 27,  1994 and the
Company's fiscal year ends of September 30, 1994, 1995, and 1996.



                                     -11-





      There can be no assurance that the Company's future stock performance will
be the same or similar to the historical  stock  performance  shown in the graph
below.  The Company  neither  makes nor  endorses  any  predictions  as to stock
performance.

[GRAPHIC OMITTED-PLOTTING POINTS BELOW]

============================================================================
                                 6/27/94     9/30/94    9/30/95     9/30/96
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRSP Nasdaq U.S. Index           $100.00     $110.26    $152.47     $180.72
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRSP Nasdaq Bank Index           $100.00     $102.12    $128.76     $164.60
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mid Continent Bancshares, Inc.   $100.00     $115.00    $189.86     $198.78
============================================================================




                                     -12-






                CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

      The Savings Bank, like many financial institutions,  has followed a policy
of granting  various types of loans to officers,  directors and  employees.  The
loans have been made in the ordinary course of business and on substantially the
same terms, including interest rates and collateral,  as those prevailing at the
time for comparable transactions with the Savings Bank's other customers, and do
not involve  more than the normal  risk of  collectibility,  nor  present  other
unfavorable  features.  All  loans  by the  Savings  Bank to its  directors  and
executive  officers  are  subject  to  Office  of  Thrift  Supervision   ("OTS")
regulations  restricting loans and other transactions with affiliated persons of
the Savings Bank.


            PROPOSAL II -- RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS

      Deloitte & Touche LLP was the Company's  independent public accountant for
the 1996 fiscal  year.  The Board of Directors  has  approved  the  selection of
Deloitte & Touche  LLP as its  auditors  for the 1997  fiscal  year,  subject to
ratification by the Company's stockholders. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche
LLP will not be present at the  Meeting to respond to  stockholders'  questions,
and as a result will not have an opportunity to make a statement at the Meeting.

      Ratification of the  appointment of the auditors  requires the affirmative
vote of a majority of the votes cast by the  stockholders  of the Company at the
Meeting.  The Board of Directors  recommends  that  stockholders  vote "FOR" the
ratification  of the  appointment  of  Deloitte  & Touche  LLP as the  Company's
auditors for the 1997 fiscal year.


                                  OTHER MATTERS

      The Board of  Directors  is not aware of any  business  to come before the
Meeting  other  than those  matters  described  above in this  Proxy  Statement.
However,  if any other matters  should  properly come before the Meeting,  it is
intended that proxies in the accompanying  form will be voted in respect thereof
in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons voting such proxies.


                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      The cost of soliciting  proxies will be borne by the Company.  The Company
will reimburse  brokerage firms and other  custodians,  nominees and fiduciaries
for  reasonable  expenses  incurred by them in sending  proxy  materials  to the
beneficial  owners  of Common  Stock.  In  addition  to  solicitations  by mail,
directors,  officers and regular  employees  of the Company may solicit  proxies
personally or by telegraph or telephone without additional compensation.

      The Company's  1996 Annual  Report to  Stockholders,  including  financial
statements,  will be  mailed  to all  stockholders  of record as of the close of
business on December 5, 1996. Any stockholder who has not received a copy of the
Company's  1996 Annual  Report may obtain a copy by writing to the  Secretary of
the Company.  The Company's 1996 Annual Report is not to be treated as a part of
the  proxy  solicitation  material  or as  having  been  incorporated  herein by
reference.


                                     -13-






                              STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

      In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials for
next year's Annual Meeting of  Stockholders,  any  stockholder  proposal to take
action at such meeting must be received at the  Company's  executive  offices at
124 West Central,  El Dorado,  Kansas 67042,  no later than August 22, 1997. Any
such proposals  shall be subject to the  requirements of the proxy rules adopted
under the 1934 Act.


                                    FORM 10-K

A COPY OF THE  COMPANY'S  ANNUAL  REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL  YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 WILL BE FURNISHED  WITHOUT CHARGE TO  STOCKHOLDERS  AS OF THE
RECORD DATE UPON WRITTEN  REQUEST TO THE  SECRETARY,  MID CONTINENT  BANCSHARES,
INC., 124 WEST CENTRAL, EL DORADO, KANSAS 67042.

                                    BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS


                                    /s/ Cheryl A. Wilkerson
                                    Cheryl A. Wilkerson
                                    Secretary
El Dorado, Kansas
December 20, 1996


                                     -14-







                        MID CONTINENT BANCSHARES, INC.
                               124 WEST CENTRAL
                           EL DORADO, KANSAS  67042
                                (316) 321-2700

                        ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                JANUARY 23, 1997

     The  undersigned  hereby  appoints the Board of Directors of Mid  Continent
Bancshares,   Inc.  (the  "Company")  or  its  designee,  with  full  powers  of
substitution,  to act as attorneys and proxies for the undersigned,  to vote all
shares of Common Stock of the Company which the  undersigned is entitled to vote
at the Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders  (the  "Meeting"),  to be held at the El
Dorado Country Club, 1100 Country Club Lane, El Dorado,  Kansas,  on January 23,
1997,  at 2:00 p.m. and at any and all  adjournments  thereof,  in the following
manner:

                                                            FOR      WITHHELD

1.     The election as director of all nominees
       listed below, each for a term expiring in
       in year stated (except as marked to the contrary):   |_|        |_|

       Richard T. Pottorff (2000)
       Kenneth B. Dellett (2000)
       Ron J. McGraw (1998)

INSTRUCTIONS:  To  withhold  your vote for any  individual  nominee,  insert the
nominee's name on the line provided below.



                                                      FOR     AGAINST   ABSTAIN
2.     The ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP
       as independent auditors of Mid Continent
       Bancshares, Inc. for the fiscal year ending    |_|       |_|       |_|
       September 30, 1997.

In their discretion, such attorneys and proxies are authorized to vote upon such
other  business as may  properly  come  before the  Meeting or any  adjournments
thereof.

      The Board of  Directors  recommends  a vote "FOR" all of the above  listed
propositions.

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE SPECIFIED, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE PROPOSITIONS  STATED.  IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS
IS  PRESENTED AT SUCH  MEETING,  THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THOSE NAMED IN THIS
PROXY IN THEIR BEST JUDGMENT.  AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS KNOWS
OF NO OTHER BUSINESS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.







               THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

      Should the undersigned be present and elect to vote at the Meeting,  or at
any  adjournments  thereof,  and  after  notification  to the  Secretary  of the
Corporation  at the  Meeting of the  stockholder's  decision to  terminate  this
proxy, the power of said attorneys and proxies shall be deemed terminated and of
no further  force and  effect.  The  undersigned  may also  revoke this proxy by
filing  a  subsequently  dated  proxy  or by  notifying  the  Secretary  of  the
Corporation of his or her decision to terminate this proxy.

      The undersigned  acknowledges  receipt from the  Corporation  prior to the
execution  of this  proxy of an annual  report,  a Notice of Annual  Meeting  of
Stockholders and a proxy statement dated December 20, 1996.


                                          Please check here if you
Dated:            , 199             |_|   plan to attend the Meeting.
      ------------     -----



_____________________________              ____________________________
PRINT NAME OF STOCKHOLDER                  PRINT NAME OF STOCKHOLDER


_____________________________              ____________________________
SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER                   SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER


Please  sign  exactly  as your name  appears  on this  proxy.  When  signing  as
attorney,  executor,  administrator,  trustee or guardian, please give your full
title. If shares are held jointly, each holder should sign.



PLEASE  COMPLETE,  DATE,  SIGN AND MAIL  THIS  PROXY  PROMPTLY  IN THE  ENCLOSED
POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE.








                                 SCHEDULE 14A
                                (Rule 14a-101)

                    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

                           SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
          Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )


Filed by the registrant [X]
Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]

Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement     [ ] Confidential, for use of the Commission
                                        Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material pursuant to ss. 240.14a-11(c) or ss. 240.14a-12

                         Mid-Continent Bancshares, Inc.
               ------------------------------------------------
               (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
  [X]       No fee required
  [ ]       Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
            0-11.

      (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:


      (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:


      (3) Per unit  price  or other  underlying  value of  transaction  computed
pursuant  to Exchange  Act Rule 0-11.  (set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is calculated and state how it was determined):


      (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:


      (5)  Total fee paid:


  [ ]   Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

  [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as  provided  by  Exchange  Act
Rule  0-11(a)(2)  and identify the filing for which the  offsetting fee was paid
previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration  statement  number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

      (1) Amount previously paid:


      (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:


      (3) Filing Party:


      (4) Date Filed: