The 1997 2. divisjon, the third highest association football league for men in Norway.
22 games were played in 8 groups, with 3 points given for wins and 1 for draws. Kjelsås, Raufoss, Ullern and Strindheim were promoted to the First Division through playoffs against the other 4 group winners. Number ten, eleven and twelve were relegated to the 3. divisjon. The winning teams from each of the 19 groups in the 3. divisjon, plus some number-two teams, were promoted to the 2. divisjon.