CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.

                            1111 E. Warrenville Road
                              Naperville, IL 60563

                                October 25, 2004

Via Facsimile and EDGAR

Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

Attention: William Friar
           Senior Financial Analyst

         RE:    CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
                REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-1
                REGISTRATION NO. 333-117847


Dear Mr. Friar:

         In accordance with Rule 461 of the General Rules and Regulations under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), Calamos Asset Management,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby requests that the effective
date for the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 referred to above be
accelerated so that it will become effective at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Standard
Time, on October 27, 2004.

         The Company acknowledges that should the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") or the staff, acting pursuant to delegated
authority, declare the Registration Statement effective, it does not foreclose
the Commission from taking any action with respect to the Registration
Statement. In addition, the Company acknowledges that the action of the
Commission or the staff, acting pursuant to delegated authority, in declaring
the Registration Statement effective does not relieve the Company from its full
responsibility for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosures in the
Registration Statement. The Company further acknowledges that it may not assert
this action as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any
person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

         We would appreciate if, as soon as the Registration Statement has
become effective, you would so inform Michael J. Schiavone of Shearman &
Sterling LLP at (212) 848-4813.



                                Very truly yours,

                                Calamos Asset Management, Inc.

                                By:   /s/ James S. Hamman, Jr.
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                Name: James S. Hamman, Jr.
                                Title:   Executive Vice President,
                                         General Counsel and Secretary
                                         (Duly Authorized Signatory)