The Serie B 1987–88 was the fifty-sixth tournament of this competition played in Italy since its creation.
Piacenza, Padova, Catanzaro and Barletta had been promoted from Serie C, while Brescia, Atalanta and Udinese had been relegated from Serie A.
A fourth promotion spot was added from this season.
A special relegation rule was applied for the expansion of the higher league.