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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000022356-02-000012.txt : 20021007
<SEC-HEADER>0000022356-02-000012.hdr.sgml : 20021007
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20021007151248
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000022356-02-000012
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20021004
FILED AS OF DATE:		20021007

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BARTH KEVIN G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001188575
		RELATIONSHIP:				OFFICER

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		816 234 2658

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 13686
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64199-3686

SUBJECT COMPANY:	

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COMMERCE BANCSHARES INC /MO/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000022356
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				430889454
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MO
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-02989
		FILM NUMBER:		02783135

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1000 WALNUT
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64106
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8162342000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 13686
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64199
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>barth2.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 4
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

[ ] Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16.
    Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person(s)
   Barth, Kevin G.
   1000 Walnut Street
   Kansas City, Missouri 64106

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
   Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (CBSH)

3. I.R.S. Identification Number of Reporting Person, if an entity (Voluntary)

4. Statement for Month/Day/Year
   10/04/2002

5. If Amendment, Date of Original (Month/Day/Year)

6. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable)
   [ ] Director                   [ ] 10% Owner
   [X] Officer (give title below) [ ] Other (specify below)
   Senior Vice President

7. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)
   [X] Form filed by One Reporting Person
   [ ] Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Table I   Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1)Title of Security                           2)Trans-    3.Trans- 4.Securities Acquired(A)      5)Amount of    6)  7)Nature of
                                              action      action   or Disposed of (D)            Securities         Indirect
                                              Date        Code                   A               Beneficially   D   Beneficial
                                              (Month/                            or              Owned at       or  Ownership
                                              Day/Year)   Code V   Amount        D  Price        End of Month   I
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>         <C>      <C>           <C><C>          <C>            <C><C>
Common Stock                                  10/04/02    M        990           A  $14.514476   5,991          D  Direct
Common Stock                                                                                     2,177          I  Exec Comp Plan

Common Stock                                                                                     6,487          I  Thrift Plan

<CAPTION>
Table II (PART 1)  Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned  (Columns 1 through 6)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1)Title of Derivative          2)Conversion    3)Trans-       4)Trans-  5)Number of Derivative            6)Date Exercisable and
Security                       or Exercise     action         action    Securities Acquired (A)           Expiration Date
                               Price of        Date           Code      or Disposed of (D)
                               Derivative
                               Security                       Code  V   A                D                Exercisable  Expiration
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>             <C>            <C>       <C>              <C>              <C>          <C>
Stock Option (right to buy)    $14.514476      10/04/02       M                          990              02/04/93     02/04/03

<CAPTION>
Table II (PART 2)  Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned  (Columns 1,3 and 7 through 11)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1)Title of Derivative          3)Trans-  7)Title and Amount                           8)Price     9)Number of   10) 11)Nature of
Security                       action    of Underlying                                of Deri-    Derivative        Indirect
                               Date      Securities                                   vative      Securities    D   Beneficial
                                                                        Amount or     Security    Beneficially  or  Ownership
                                                                        Number of                 Owned at      I
                  -                      Title                          Shares                    End of Month
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>       <C>                            <C>           <C>         <C>           <C> <C>
Stock Option (right to buy)    10/04/02  Common Stock                   990                       0             D   Direct

<FN>
Explanation of Responses:


</FN>
</TABLE>

SIGNATURE OF REPORTING PERSON
/S/ By: Jeffery D. Aberdeen
    For: Kevin G. Barth
DATE 10/04/02


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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