Deep tillage studies were conducted on fine sandy loam and silt loam soils to evaluate the response of cotton where soil compaction problems limit water intake, storage, and root development. On the fine sandy loam soil, conventional and parabolic subsoilers were compared with and without secondary tillage with a spring tine chisel. Lint yield increases above the no deep tillage check averaged 38 and 64 lb/A for conventional and parabolic subsoilers when used alone, respectively. On the silt loam soil, combinations of subsoiling and ripper-hipping with and without the parabolic chisel were studied. Lint yields were increased 31 lb/A with the ripper-hipper, 61 lb/A with the parabolic subsoiler, and 86 lb/A with double subsoiling over the check. An economic analysis, using partial budgeting, of these data was conducted and those practices producing the greatest net returns were determined. In general, the single parabolic subsoiling operation produced the greatest net return ($34.86/A) above the check on sandy loam soils and double subsoiling produced the greatest net return ($39.78/A) above the check on silt loam soils.