REICH & TANG DISTRIBUTORS L.P.
600 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10020
(212) 830-5400
November 26, 1996
VIA EDGAR
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: Municipal Securities Trust, Series 40
File No. 33-25127
Gentlemen:
As Sponsor of the above-referenced Trust, we are writing this
letter to certify that:
(1) the form of Prospectus that would have been filed under
Rule 497(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, does not differ from that contained
in the most recent Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement on
Form S-6 (the "Registration Statement"), and
(2) the text of the most recent Registration Statement was
filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 25,
1996 and became effective October 31, 1996 pursuant to Rule 485(b).
Municipal Securities Trust, Series 40
REICH & TANG DISTRIBUTORS L.P.
By: _________________________________
Peter J. DeMarco
Authorized Signatory
C/M 11939.0001 430037.1
