<PAGE>
PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 61 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: May 22, 1997 File No. 333-17985
(To Prospectus dated January 22, 1997
and Prospectus Supplement dated January 22, 1997)
$5,434,620,162
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B
WITH MINIMUM MATURITY OF NINE MONTHS FROM DATE OF ISSUE
Principal Amount: Floating Rate Notes Book Entry Notes
$10,000,000 [x] [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes Certificated Notes
May 27, 1997 [_] [_]
Maturity Date:
May 27, 1998
Option to Extend Maturity: No [x]
Yes [_] Final Maturity Date:
Optional Optional
Redemption Repayment Repayment
Redeemable On Price(s) Date(s) Price(s)
------------- -------- ------- --------
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Applicable Only to Fixed Rate Notes:
-----------------------------------
Interest Rate:
Applicable Only to Floating Rate Notes:
--------------------------------------
Interest Rate Basis: Maximum Interest Rate: N/A
[_] Commercial Paper Rate Minimum Interest Rate: N/A
[_] Federal Funds Rate Interest Reset Date(s): *
[_] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Monthly
[_] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[x] LIBOR Telerate
[_] Prime Rate Interest Payment Period: Monthly
[_] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: 5.66750%
Index Maturity: One Month
Spread (plus or minus): -0.02%
-------------------------
* 6/27/97, 7/28/97, 8/27/97, 9/29/97, 10/27/97, 11/28/97, 12/29/97,
1/27/98, 2/27/98, 3/27/98 and 4/27/98.
** 6/27/97, 7/28/97, 8/27/97, 9/29/97, 10/27/97, 11/28/97, 12/29/97,
1/27/98, 2/27/98, 3/27/98, 4/27/98 and 5/27/98.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth
in Rule 2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
NYFS04...:\25\22625\0122\1824\GGG5237N.110
