-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Mmx0alQXftpR3i6sUF7190d08m0Dz4GlGRLNa9MS309MyBYq8oyDBue7K7seSVGx
 eAQyr7G6tUEKZiB/lKvGLA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-020591.txt : 20041102
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-020591.hdr.sgml : 20041102
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041102164936
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-020591
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041101
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041102
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041102

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ELM DAWN R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001257925

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19368
		FILM NUMBER:		041113882

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS
		STREET 2:		2115 SUMMIT AVENUE TMH 343
		CITY:			ST.PAUL
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55105

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COMMUNITY FIRST BANKSHARES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000857593
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				460391436
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		520 MAIN AVENUE
		CITY:			FARGO
		STATE:			ND
		ZIP:			58124-0001
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7012985600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		520 MAIN AVENUE
		CITY:			FARGO
		STATE:			ND
		ZIP:			58124-0001
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-11-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000857593</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COMMUNITY FIRST BANKSHARES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CFBX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001257925</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ELM DAWN R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>215 SUMMIT AVENUE, TMH 343</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ST. PAUL</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Galen O. Skarphol, Attorney-in-Fact pursuant to Power-of-Attorney dated 8-1-03</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-11-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----