EXHIBIT 11.1 
           STATEMENT RE: COMPUTATION OF HISTORICAL EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
                              PROFFITT'S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                             (in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                       THREE MONTHS ENDED    SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                       JULY 29,  JULY 30,   JULY 29,  JULY 30,
                                         1995      1994       1995      1994

PRIMARY:

  Average shares outstanding            10,210     9,793     10,142    9,619
  Net effect of dilutive stock 
   options--based on the treasury 
   stock method using average 
   market price                            224       131        155      140
                                       -------    ------     ------   ------
        Total                           10,434     9,924     10,297    9,759
                                       =======    ======     ======   ======

  Net income                           $ 1,084    $  811     $3,886   $1,211
  Less preferred stock dividends          (487)     (537)      (975)    (718)
                                       -------    ------     ------   ------

  Net income available to common 
    shareholders                       $   597    $  274     $2,911   $  493
                                       =======    ======     ======   ======

  Primary earnings per common share    $  0.06    $ 0.03     $ 0.28   $ 0.05
                                       =======    ======     ======   ======

FULLY DILUTED:

  Average shares outstanding            10,210     9,793     10,142    9,619
  Net effect of dilutive stock
    options--based on the treasury
    stock method using period-end 
    market price if higher than 
    average price                          258       133        174      141
  Assumed conversion of 4.75% 
    subordinated debenture               2,020     2,020      2,020    2,020
  Assumed conversion of preferred 
    stock                                1,422     1,545      1,422    1,033
                                       -------    ------     ------   ------
          Total                         13,910    13,491     13,758   12,813
                                       =======    ======     ======   ======

  Income before interest adjustment     $1,084    $  811     $3,886   $1,211
  Add 4.75% convertible subordinated
    debenture interest, net of 
    federal income tax effect              625       625      1,250    1,250
                                       -------    ------     ------   ------
  Adjusted net income                   $1,709    $1,436     $5,136   $2,461
                                       =======    ======     ======   ======

 Fully diluted earnings per
    common share                        $ 0.12    $ 0.11     $ 0.37   $ 0.19
                                        ======    ======     ======   ====== 


   Note/For each period shown, the fully diluted earnings per common share
   calculation is anti-dilutive, and therefore, no fully diluted presentation
   is needed.