Objective To analyze the expression of T helper 17 cells (Th17) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) mRNA in peripheral blood of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and explore the relationship between SOCS3 mRNA expression and Th17 in patients with CHB. Methods 30 CHB patients who were admitted to the outpatient department of a hospital from February to August 2021 were selected as the research objects, and 15 healthy subjects were selected as control during the same period. Frequency of Th17 cells in peripheral blood was conducted with flow cytometry (FCM), expression levels of serum cytokines interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and IL-23 were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); mRNA expression levels of SOCS3 and retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) in peripheral blood were determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), results of two groups of patients were compared. Results The frequency of Th17 cells and expression levels of its effector molecules IL-17A and IL-23 in peripheral blood of patients with CHB were higher than those in control group (all P < 0.05), there were positive correlations between Th17 cell frequency, IL-17A and HBV DNA levels (r=0.570, r=0.563, both P < 0.005). The expression levels of SOCS3 and RORγt mRNA in peripheral blood of CHB patients were both higher than those of healthy control (both P < 0.05), they were also positively correlated with HBV DNA levels (r=0.662, r=0.561, both P < 0.05). In CHB patients, SOCS3 mRNA was positively correlated with RORγt mRNA, Th17 cell frequency and IL-17A (r=0.552, r=0.626, r=0.826, all P < 0.05). Conclusion The abnormal expression of SOCS3 mRNA in peripheral blood of patients with CHB may affect the differentiation of Th17 and the secretion of its effector molecules by regulating the expression of RORγt mRNA.