ISEE 1 magnetic field data for 1978--1987 are examined to obtain the average distribution of the magnetotail current in the region -20≤X≤-6RE, |Y|≤7RE. The whole data set is divided into three subsets according to different geomagnetic conditions, that is, AL≥-50 nT, -200≤AL-15RE. This implies that the main source of FACs in the midnight sector is located in the near-Earth magnetotail. A new model of the magnetotail current system for disturbed periods is proposed on the basis of our findings.¿ 1997 American Geophysical Union