
                                                                    Exhibit 17


                             R(2) INVESTMENTS, LDC
               C/O AMALGAMATED GADGET, L.P., INVESTMENT MANAGER
                        301 COMMERCE STREET, SUITE 2975
                            FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76102
                                (817) 332-9500
                              FAX: (817) 332-9606

                                April 11, 2003


MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities Fund, L.P.
510 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022-4213

          Re:  Option

Gentlemen:

     The purpose of this letter is to confirm and memorialize the
understandings between R(2) Investments, LDC ("R2") and MatlinPatterson Global
Opportunities Fund, L.P. ("MatlinPatterson") relating to the granting of
options between R2 and MatlinPatterson upon the terms and conditions set forth
herein. R2 and MatlinPatterson are sometimes herein collectively referred to
as the "Parties" and each a "Party".

     1. MatlinPatterson's Grant of Option to R2. MatlinPatterson hereby grants
to R2, a fully vested and immediately exercisable option (the "R2 Option") to
purchase from MatlinPatterson fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate amount of
any debt under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated April
2003 among Personnel Group America, Inc., as borrower, the subsidiaries of the
borrower from time to time party thereto, as guarantors, the several lenders
from time to time specified therein, and Bank of America, N.A. (formerly
NationsBank, N.A.), as agent (the "Debt") purchased or acquired by
MatlinPatterson, or any of its related, associated, and affiliated persons and
entities, from time to time after the date of this letter until the
termination hereof.

     2. R2's Grant of Option to MatlinPatterson. R2 hereby grants to
MatlinPatterson, a fully vested and immediately exercisable option (the
"MatlinPatterson Option") to purchase from R2 twenty-five percent (25%) of the
aggregate amount of any Debt purchased or acquired by R2, or any of its
related, associated, and affiliated persons and entities, from time to time
after the date of this letter until the termination hereof.

     3. Exercise of MatlinPatterson Option. R2 shall give written notice (by
fax to 212-651-4010, Attention of Chris Pechock) of any purchase or
acquisition of Debt by R2, or any of its related, associated, and affiliated
persons and entities, together with a copy of the LSTA Trade Confirmation that
R2 entered into with respect to such purchase or acquisition of Debt
(collectively, the "R2 Purchase Notice") within three business days after the
trade date for such purchase or acquisition of Debt. MatlinPatterson may
thereafter exercise the MatlinPatterson Option by giving written notice of its
exercise to R2 within three business days after MatlinPatterson's receipt of
the R2 Purchase Notice. Any purchase by MatlinPatterson affected


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pursuant to the exercise of the MatlinPatterson Option shall be by assignment
(and not by participation) of the Debt and shall otherwise be on the identical
terms and conditions, and close at the same time, as R2's 75% share of the
Debt purchase in question. Whenever a MatlinPatterson Option is exercised,
MatlinPatterson can designate any of its related, associated, and affiliated
persons and entities, as the purchaser of such Debt.

     4. Exercise of R2 Option. MatlinPatterson shall give written notice (by
fax to 817-332-9606, Attention of Geoffrey Raynor or Robert McCormick) of any
purchase or acquisition of Debt by MatlinPatterson, or any of its related,
associated, and affiliated persons and entities, together with a copy of the
LSTA Trade Confirmation that MatlinPatterson entered into with respect to such
purchase or acquisition of Debt (collectively, the "MatlinPatterson Purchase
Notice") within three business days after the trade date far such purchase or
acquisition of Debt. R2 may thereafter exercise the R2 Option by giving
written notice of its exercise to MatlinPatterson within three business days
after R2's receipt of the MatlinPatterson Purchase Notice. Any purchase by R2
affected pursuant to the exercise of the R2 Option shall be by assignment (and
not by participation) of the Debt and shall otherwise be on the identical
terms and conditions, and close at the same time, as MatlinPatterson's 50%
share of the Debt purchase in question. Whenever a R2 Option is exercised, R2
can designate any of its related, associated, and affiliated persons and
entities, as the purchaser of such Debt.

     5. Termination. This letter agreement shall terminate on the earlier of
(a) May l, 2005 or (b) the termination of the Second Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement dated April 2003 among Personnel Group America, Inc., as
borrower, the subsidiaries of the borrower from time to time party thereto, as
guarantors, the several lenders from time to time specified therein, and Bank
of America, N.A. (formerly NationsBank, N.A.), as agent, unless the Parties
mutually agree in writing to (i) extend this letter agreement beyond such
date, or (ii) terminate this letter agreement at an earlier date.

     6. Governing Law. This letter of intent shall be governed by, and
construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York
without regard to its conflicts of law principles. If any provision of this
letter agreement shall be held to be invalid, the remainder of this letter
agreement shall not be affected thereby.

     7. Counterparts. This letter agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument. Facsimile signatures shall
constitute original signatures.

     8. Assignment. This letter agreement is binding on the Parties hereto,
and their successors and permitted assigns, together with their related,
associated and affiliated persons and entities. Neither this letter agreement
nor any of the rights, interests or obligations of any Party hereunder shall
be assignable by such Party without the prior written consent of the other
Parties.

     9. Entire Agreement; Amendment. This letter agreement supercedes all
prior discussions and agreements among the Parties and contains the sole and
entire agreement between the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof. This letter agreement may


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be modified or waived only by a separate writing executed by the Patties
expressly so modifying or waiving this letter agreement.

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     Please evidence your agreement with the foregoing by executing and
returning a duplicate of this letter agreement.

                              Sincerely,

                              R(2) INVESTMENTS, LDC

                              By: Amalgamated Gadget, L.P.,
                                  as Investment Manager,

                                  By:  Scepter Holdings, Inc.,
                                       its general partner

                                       By: __________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:




Accepted and agreed to, as of the date
first above written:

MATTLINPATTERSON GLOBAL
OPPORTUNITIES FUND, L.P.

By:__________________________
Name:
Title:



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