Held during May 1997, thirty-two Division I college softball teams contested the championship.
The tournament featured eight regionals of four teams, each in a double elimination format.
Arizona won their fifth NCAA championship by defeating UCLA 10–2 in the final game.
Arizona pitcher Nancy Evans was named Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
†: Excludes results of the pre-NCAA Women's College World Series of 1969 through 1981.