CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 30A-2(B) UNDER THE 1940 ACT AND SECTION 906 OF
                             THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT


I,  George  R.  Aylward,   President  of  Phoenix   Investment   Trust  97  (the
"Registrant"), certify that:

    1.  The Form N-CSR of the  Registrant  containing  the financial  statements
        (the "Report") fully complies with the  requirements of Section 13(a) or
        15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

    2.  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
        respects,  the  financial  condition  and results of  operations  of the
        Registrant.


Date:   May 5, 2008                          /s/ George R. Aylward
     -------------------------------         -----------------------------------
                                             George R. Aylward, President
                                             (principal executive officer)


I, W.  Patrick  Bradley,  Chief  Financial  Officer  and  Treasurer  of  Phoenix
Investment Trust 97 (the "Registrant"), certify that:

    1.  The Form N-CSR of the  Registrant  containing  the financial  statements
        (the "Report") fully complies with the  requirements of Section 13(a) or
        15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

    2.  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
        respects,  the  financial  condition  and results of  operations  of the
        Registrant.


Date:   May 5, 2008                          /s/ W. Patrick Bradley
     -------------------------------         -----------------------------------
                                             W. Patrick Bradley, Chief Financial
                                             Officer and Treasurer
                                             (principal financial officer)