The Croatian participating broadcaster, Hrvatska radiotelevizija (HRT), selected its entry for the contest through Dora 1997.

Croatia first appeared in the Eurovision Song Contest as an independent country in 1993, having previously entered as a part of Yugoslavia from 1961 to 1991.

The sub-national broadcaster from SR Croatia was the most successful at the national finals, with 11 of the 27 entries that won the Yugoslavian selection for Eurovision being Croatian.

HRT held a national final to select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 1997.

The broadcaster held Dora 1997 on 9 March at the Crystal Ballroom of Hotel Kvarner in Opatija, hosted by Ljudevit Grgurić Grga.