| Competition: | Serie B |
| Season: | 1996–97 |
| Promoted: | Brescia (3rd title) Empoli Lecce Bari |
| Relegated: | Cosenza Cesena Palermo Cremonese |
| League Topscorer: | Davide Dionigi (24 goals) |
| Matches: | 380 |
| Total Goals: | 852 |
| Prevseason: | 1995–96 |
| Nextseason: | 1997–98 |
The Serie B 1996–97 was the sixty-fifth tournament of this competition played in Italy since its creation.
Ravenna, Empoli, Lecce and Castel di Sangro had been promoted from Serie C, while Bari, Torino, Cremonese and Padova had been relegated from Serie A.