<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME OF J. C.
PENNEY COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF OCTOBER 28, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-27-2001
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-28-2000
<CASH>                                             183
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,177
<ALLOWANCES>                                        26
<INVENTORY>                                      6,842
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 8,319
<PP&E>                                           8,364
<DEPRECIATION>                                   3,211
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  20,413
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            4,613
<BONDS>                                          5,423
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                        407
<COMMON>                                         3,288
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,179
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    20,413
<SALES>                                         22,027
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                22,896
<CGS>                                           16,563
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   21,791
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   980
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 329
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (204)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       (79)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (125)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (125)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (0.57)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (0.57)