The 1997 Fed Cup was the 35th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. The final took place at Brabant Hall in 's-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands on 4–5 October, with France defeating the Netherlands to win their first title.
The four losing teams in the World Group first round ties (Germany, Japan, Spain and United States), and four winners of the World Group II ties (Argentina, Australia, Croatia and Switzerland) entered the draw for the World Group play-offs.
The World Group II was the second highest level of Fed Cup competition in 1997. Winners advanced to the World Group play-offs, and loser played in the World Group II play-offs.
The four losing teams from World Group II (Austria, Slovakia, South Africa and South Korea) played off against qualifiers from Zonal Group I. Two teams qualified from Europe/Africa Zone (Italy and Russia), one team from the Asia/Oceania Zone (Indonesia), and one team from the Americas Zone (Canada).