1987 Southwest Missouri State Bears football team

The 1987 Southwest Missouri State Bears football team represented the Southwest Missouri State University (now known as Missouri State University) as a member of the Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference (GCAC) during the 1987 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by second-year head coach Jesse Branch, the Bears compiled an overall record of 5–6, with a mark of 3–3 in conference play, and finished tied for third in the GFC.