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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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 N1OD7U6tmN8s/O3NAgNtQw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-10-036190.txt : 20100903
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-10-036190.hdr.sgml : 20100903
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100903152117
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-10-036190
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100901
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100903
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100903

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ENGIBOUS THOMAS J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001194832

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15274
		FILM NUMBER:		101057574

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		12500 TI BLVD
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75243

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			J C PENNEY CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001166126
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-DEPARTMENT STORES [5311]
		IRS NUMBER:				260037077
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6501 LEGACY DRIVE
		CITY:			PLANO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75024-3698
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9722431100

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	J C PENNEY HOLDINGS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20020128
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-09-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001166126</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>J C PENNEY CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>JCP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001194832</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ENGIBOUS THOMAS J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>6501 LEGACY DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PLANO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75024</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock of 50 cents Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-09-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1024</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.75</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>53725.6219</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person received JCPenney common stock, pursuant to the 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan, in lieu of cash for his services as a director.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Based on the closing price of JCPenney common stock on the date of issuance.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Includes 142.05 restricted stock units aquired since June 1, 2010 pursuant to dividend equivalents on restricted stock unit awards.  Dividend equivalents on restricted stock unit awards accrue on a quarterly basis, exempt under Rule 16a-11.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>***Under continuing POA as filed with the S.E.C.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>***/s/ Salil R. Virkar, attorney in fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-09-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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