| Year: | 1997 |
| Team: | McNeese State Cowboys |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Southland Conference |
| Short Conf: | Southland |
| Tsnrank: | 7 |
| Record: | 13–2 |
| Conf Record: | 6–1 |
| Head Coach: | Bobby Keasler |
| Hc Year: | 8th |
| Off Coach: | Mike Santiago |
| Oc Year: | 8th |
| Def Coach: | Kirby Bruchhaus |
| Dc Year: | 8th |
| Stadium: | Cowboy Stadium |
| Champion: | Southland co-champion |
| Bowl Result: | L 9–10 vs. Youngstown State |
The 1997 McNeese State Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented McNeese State University as a member of the Southland Conference (Southland) during the 1997 NCAA Division I-AA football season. In their eighth year under head coach Bobby Keasler, the team compiled an overall record of 13–2, with a mark of 6–1 in conference play, and finished as Southland co-champions. The Cowboys advanced to the Division I-AA playoffs and lost to Youngstown State in the championship game.