1977-78 Oberliga season

The 1977-78 Oberliga season was the fifthh season of the league as the third level of ice hockey in Germany. RSC Bremerhaven, EV Regensburg, and EHC Essen were promoted to the [[2nd Bundesliga].

Qualification round

 * DEC Frillensee Inzell and ERC Sonthofen were both set to be relegated to the Regionalliga. Due to the expansion of the 1. Bundesliga, Sonthofen remained in the Oberliga as a substitute squad, while Inzell was relegated.

Promotion round to 2. Bundesliga
RSC Bremerhaven qualified automatically for the 2. Bundesliga. Regensburg lost in the promotion playoffs but was promoted along with Essen due to the expansion of the 1. Bundesliga.