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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) - February 4, 1998
J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-777 13-5583779
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File No.) Identification No.)
6501 Legacy Drive
Plano, Texas 75024-3698
(Address of principal (Zip code)
executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (972) 431-1000
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Item 5. Other Events.
______ ____________
On February 4, 1998, Eckerd Corporation ("Eckerd"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (the "Company") was served with a
civil complaint which was filed jointly in federal court in Tampa, Florida
by the Florida Attorney General, the U. S. Department of Justice, and the
U. S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida. The complaint
relates to what is known in the drugstore industry as partial filling of
prescriptions and how they are billed in those relatively limited
situations when a customer fails to pick up the balance of a partially
filled prescription.
The complaint seeks triple the amount of monetary damages and
penalties up to $10,000 for each bill for a partially filled prescription.
However, this complaint focuses on a very small percentage of the
prescriptions filled by Eckerd, and management is of the opinion that,
although the ultimate disposition of this suit cannot be forecast with
certainty, the litigation should not have a material adverse effect on
the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
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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.
J. C. PENNEY COMPANY, INC.
/s/ D. A. McKay
__________________________
D. A. McKay
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Date: February 6, 1998
