Exhibit 23.2



                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
                        -------------------------------



          We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. Nonqualified
Retirement Plan of our report dated January 20, 1998, with respect to the 1997
consolidated financial statements of First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. included in its
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1997, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.



ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, Illinois
September 8, 1998