| Year: | 1997 |
| Team: | South Florida Bulls |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Record: | 5–6 |
| Head Coach: | Jim Leavitt |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
| Off Coach: | Mike Canales |
| Oc Year: | 1st |
| Def Coach: | Rick Kravitz |
| Dc Year: | 1st |
| Stadium: | Houlihan's Stadium |
| Prev Year: | none |
The 1997 South Florida Bulls football team represented the University of South Florida (USF) as an independent during the 1997 NCAA Division I-AA football season, and was the first team fielded by the school. Led by first-year head coach Jim Leavitt, the Bulls compiled a record of 5–6. South Florida played home games at Houlihan's Stadium in Tampa, Florida.