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

                          July 12, 1996
        DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported)


                 DILLARD DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.
     (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



     DELAWARE            1-6140             71-0388071
 (State or other        (Commission       (IRS Employer
 jurisdiction of        File Number)      Identification
  incorporation)                             Number)         


        1600 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, Arkansas  72201
            (Address of principal executive offices)
                           (Zip Code)

                         (501) 376-5200
      (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)




Item 5.   Other Events

     Pursuant to the terms and conditions of a Pricing Agreement
between Registrant and Chase Securities Inc. dated July 12, 1996,
Registrant will issue on or about July 17, 1996 its 7-3/4%
Debentures limited to $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount
maturing on July 15, 2026.  The Debentures are not subject to
redemption prior to the maturity date.  

Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits

     (c)  Exhibits

     Exhibit 1(f)   Pricing Agreement dated July 12, 1996 between
                    Dillard Department Stores, Inc. and Chase
                    Securities Inc.

     Exhibit 4(g)   Form of 7-3/4% Debenture


     

                            SIGNATURE

          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.

                              DILLARD DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.
                                   (Registrant)


                              By: /s/ James I. Freeman               
                                   James I. Freeman
                                   Senior Vice President and Chief
                                   Financial Officer

                                                

Date:  July 16, 1996
                   



                           Exhibit Index


                      Exhibits to Form 8-K



  Number in                        
Exhibit Table       Exhibit        


    1(f)            Pricing Agreement dated
                    July 12, 1996 between the
                    Registrant and Chase
                    Securities Inc.

 
    4(g)            Form of 7-3/4% Debenture