To solve for \( b \) in the equation
\[ \frac{b}{17} = -26, \]
you can multiply both sides of the equation by 17 to isolate \( b \):
\[ b = -26 \times 17. \]
Now, calculate \( -26 \times 17 \):
\[ -26 \times 17 = -442. \]
Therefore,
\[ b = -442. \]
So the solution is
\[ \boxed{-442}. \]