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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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 F7Mz4ZbsQq91C6V6SdZJmQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001191475-04-000004.txt : 20040316
<SEC-HEADER>0001191475-04-000004.hdr.sgml : 20040316
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040316142523
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001191475-04-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040131
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040316

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FOSTER KENT B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001191475

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15274
		FILM NUMBER:		04672072

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O INGRAM MICRO INC
		STREET 2:		WORLDWIDE LEGAL DEPT 1600 E ST
		CITY:			SANTA ANA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92705

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O INGRAM MICRO INC WORLD WIDE L
		STREET 2:		1600 E ST ANDREW PLACE
		CITY:			SANTA ANA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92705

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

	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>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form5foster31604_ex.xml
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    <periodOfReport>2004-01-31</periodOfReport>

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    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001191475</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FOSTER KENT B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6501 LEGACY DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></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>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock of 50 cent Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Dividends accrued on a quarterly basis (Feb. 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1) under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, exempt under Rule 16a-11. Conversion price is one-for-one.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

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

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>***Ralph H. Richardson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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