8-K

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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT
 
     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
       DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): OCTOBER 2, 1998
 
                           JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
                                                          
         PENNSYLVANIA                                                     06-0935166
 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION               1-10746                      (IRS EMPLOYER
       OF INCORPORATION            (COMMISSION FILE NUMBER)         IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)


 
                             250 RITTENHOUSE CIRCLE
                               BRISTOL, PA 19007
             (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND ZIP CODE)
 
       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (215) 785-4000
 
                                 NOT APPLICABLE
          (FORMER NAME OR FORMER ADDRESS, IF CHANGED FROM LAST REPORT)
 
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ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS
 
     On October 2, 1998, Jones Apparel Group, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation
(the "Company" or "Jones"), consummated its acquisition (the "Acquisition") of
Sun Apparel, Inc., a Texas corporation ("Sun"), pursuant to an Agreement and
Plan of Merger, entered into and announced on September 10, 1998 (the "Merger
Agreement"), by and among the Company, Sun, the shareholders of Sun (the
"Shareholders") and SAI Acquisition Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jones
("SAI"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Sun has merged into SAI (which has
changed its name to Sun Apparel, Inc.), thus becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Jones.

     A copy of the Press Release, dated October 2, 1998, issued by the Company 
relating to the consummation of the Acquisition, is attached as Exhibit 99.1 
hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

(c) EXHIBITS

     The following exhibit is filed with this Current Report:

     99.1 Press Release dated October 2, 1998, announcing the consummation of 
the Merger Agreement.



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                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
                                          JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC.
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                                          Registrant
 
                                          By: /s/ WESLEY R. CARD
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                                            Wesley R. Card
                                            Chief Financial Officer
October 2, 1998
 
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EX-99.1

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                                                                  EXHIBIT 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC.


Contacts: Wesley R. Card, Chief Financial Officer
          Anita Britt, Director of Investor Relations and Financial Planning
          (215) 785-4000


            JONES APPAREL GROUP COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF SUN APPAREL


NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- October 2, 1998 -- Jones Apparel Group, Inc. ("Jones") 
(NYSE-JNY) announced today that it has completed its previously announced 
acquisition of Sun Apparel, Inc. ("Sun").

Jones purchased the equity of Sun for $216.6 million, comprised of $137.8 
million in cash and 4.4 million shares of Jones common stock, valued for 
financial reporting purposes at $18.00 per share as of September 10, 1998, the 
date the definitive merger agreement was signed.

Jones has also assumed Sun debt of $228.5 million, which has been refinanced in 
conjunction with the closing of the transaction.

The Company announced the closing of $265 million of senior notes due 2001, and 
a $550 million bank credit facility to finance the acquisition and the 
Company's working capital, general corporate and trade letter of credit 
requirements.

The Company also announced the appointment of Eric A. Rothfield, President and 
CEO of Sun, and Mark Schwartz, President and CEO of Palladin Capital Group, 
Inc., to the Board of Directors.

Jones Apparel Group, Inc. is a leading designer and marketer of better priced 
women's sportswear, suits and dresses. The Company markets its products under 
several nationally known brands including Jones New York, Evan-Picone, Rena 
Rowan, Saville, and the Lauren by Ralph Lauren and Ralph by Ralph Lauren brands 
licensed from Polo Ralph Lauren.

Sun Apparel, Inc. is a designer, manufacturer and distributor of jeanswear, 
sportswear and related apparel for men, women and children. Sun markets 
products under the Polo Jeans Company brand, licensed from Polo Ralph Lauren, 
as well as other owned, licensed and private label brand.


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