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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 NCBN+3PZ503tTwN652HUT1byKkp/9cKRkOGxy0VZWHJPSuhLvQkkX59Q0zsi2P4P
 jnEQK0EIG5Uk+tbh/POddg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-08-009322.txt : 20080410
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-08-009322.hdr.sgml : 20080410
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080410162231
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-08-009322
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080303
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080410
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080410

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TERUEL JAVIER G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001227261

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15274
		FILM NUMBER:		08750204

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO
		STREET 2:		300 PARK AVE 15TH FL
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4/A
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-03-03</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2008-03-04</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001227261</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TERUEL JAVIER G</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>2008-03-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>234</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>47.01</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>915</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Mr. Teruel received JCPenney common stock, pursuant to the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan, in lieu of cash for his services as a director. Due to an administrative error, the number of shares reported pursuant to this transaction in his original Form 4 was incorrect. This amendment reflects the correct number of shares acquired after taking into account applicable tax withholding on Mr. Teruel's cash retainer.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Based on the closing price of JCPenney common stock on the date of issuance.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>***Under continuing POA as filed with the SEC.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>*** /s/ Salil R. Virkar, attorney in fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-04-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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