Exhibit 23.1


                        Consent of Independent Auditors



We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of First Midwest
Bancorp, Inc. for the registration of 1,520,611 shares of its common stock and
to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January 16, 1997,
with respect to the 1996 consolidated financial statements of First Midwest
Bancorp, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 1996 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, Illinois
October 1, 1997