1978 U.S. Clay Court Championships – Women's singles

Laura duPont was the defending champion but was upset in her first match against Kate Latham. College amateur Dana Gilbert won the title beating Viviana González in the final.

Seeds
A champion seed is indicated in bold text while text in italics indicates the round in which that seed was eliminated. • # Mima Jaušovec (first round)

• #🇷🇴 Virginia Ruzici (third round)

• #🇺🇸 Kathy May (first round)

• #🇺🇸 Janet Newberry (semifinals)

• #🇺🇸 Laura duPont (second round)

• #🇺🇸 Jeanne Evert (semifinals)

• # Yvonne Vermaak (second round)

• #🇺🇸 Jeanne DuVall (quarterfinals)