Excited states have been observed for the first time in the neutron-deficient nucleus 117 Ba using the Recoil-Decay Tagging technique following the heavy-ion fusion-evaporation reaction 64 Zn( 58 Ni, 2p3n)117 Ba. Prompt γ rays have been assigned to 117 Ba through correlations with β-delayed protons following the decay of A = 117 recoils. Through the analysis of the γ-γ coincidence relationships, a high-spin level scheme consisting of two bands has been established in 117 Ba. Based on the systematics of the level spacings in the neighboring barium isotopes, the two bands are proposed to have νh 11/2 [532]5/2 − and νd 5/2 [413]5/2 + configurations, respectively. The observed band-crossing properties are interpreted in the framework of cranked shell model.