I run Acc97 and Acc2k on the same boxes (Win2k and WinXP) and the only a couple of issues when doing so, make sure that Acc97 is installed FIRST! Sometimes (not always) if 97 is installed after 2k there are common file problems. Make sure their installed in separate folders, not the same c:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\, try c:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 97\ and c:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 2k\.
There is very little difference between file formats of 2k and 2k2 and you should not see any problems there. If you try opening a 97 db on 2k or later it will want to convert it everytime you open it and if you accidently do, 97 can no longer view/open it, you will have to manually convert it back to 97 (which you can do under database utilities in 2k and later).
If you choose not to convert the file from 97 to 2k you will not be able to edit any of the forms, controls, queries, modules, anything while viewing it in 2k, only open forms, run queries, and update data.
Another anoyance is if your used to opening a file by double clicking on it, which ever version of access that was used last is the default msaccess.exe and will be used to open the file regardless of which version the file is formatted for. To get around this either open the version of access you wish to work in and then open the desired file or create custom shortcuts that have a formated command line that references the version of access nessissary for the associated db file. Check you help file for info on command line structure.
Another thought is if you don't need a user to have a fully licensed version of Access, you can install the Access Runtime which is basically a viewer for mdb/mde files, (works better with mde). So the user may have the Access 97 Runtime and a fully lisenced Access 2000. The runtime would allow them to open and utilize legacy db files but not develop in it, while the Fully lisenced 2000 is available for developing new files.