Claymore Securities, Inc.
                            2455 Corporate West Drive
                              Lisle, Illinois 60532


                                September 3, 2009


Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549


             Re: Claymore Securities Defined Portfolios, Series 617
                               File No. 333-161120


Ladies/Gentlemen:

   The undersigned, Claymore Securities Defined Portfolios, Series 617 (the
"Trust"), by Claymore Securities, Inc., as the sponsor and depositor of the
Trust and of the units covered by the subject Registration Statement, pursuant
to the provisions of Rule 461 of the General Rules and Regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, hereby
respectfully requests that the Securities and Exchange Commission consent to the
filing of the amendment to the Registration Statement and grant acceleration of
the effectiveness of said Registration Statement, as amended, so that the same
may become effective as early as practicable on September 9, 2009 or as soon
thereafter as possible.

                                                               Very truly yours,

                              Claymore Securities Defined Portfolios, Series 617

                                                   By: Claymore Securities, Inc.


                                                          By: /S/ Kevin Robinson
                                                                  Kevin Robinson

                                   Senior Managing Director, General Counsel and
                                                                       Secretary