| Year: | 1978 |
| Team: | South Carolina Gamecocks |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Record: | 5–5–1 |
| Head Coach: | Jim Carlen |
| Hc Year: | 4th |
| Def Coach: | Richard Bell |
| Dc Year: | 4th |
| Stadium: | Williams–Brice Stadium |
The 1978 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina as an independent during the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Jim Carlen, the Gamecocks compiled a record of 5–5–1.