Objective To observe the effect of preoperative enteral nutritional support combined with modified Ivor-Lewis surgery for esophageal cancer on lung function and mRNA expression of GATA-binding protein 3 （GATA3） and forkhead protein P3 （Foxp3） in peripheral blood. Methods Sixty esophageal cancer patients who underwent modified Ivor-Lewis surgery in our hospital from January 2022 to October 2023 were selected and divided into two groups by simple random method. The control group was given conventional diet before operation， and the observation group was given enteral nutrition support before operation. The two groups were compared in terms of nutritional support. Results Both groups showed significantly decreases in one-second exertion expiratory volume/exertion lung volume （FEV1/FVC） （P < 0.05）， FVC （P < 0.05）， FEV1 （P < 0.05） and the levels of peripheral blood GATA3 （P < 0.05）， Foxp3 mRNA （P < 0.05） expression compared with those at admission （P < 0.05）， but no significant differences in pulmonary function （P > 0.05）， peripheral blood GATA3 （P > 0.05）， and Foxp3 mRNA （P > 0.05） expression between them at 1 week postoperatively. Both groups exhibited significantly lower levels of albumin， prealbumin， haemoglobin， transferrin， PNI and body mass and body mass index at admission as compared to those at one week after surgery （P < 0.05）. The observation group showed significantly higher levels of albumin， prealbumin， haemoglobin， transferrin， and PNI at 1 week postoperatively （P < 0.05）， but no significant differences in ventilation time， defecation time， drain retention time， hospitalisation time， and complication rate as compared to the control group （P > 0.05）. Conclusion Preoperative enteral nutritional support combined with modified Ivor-Lewis surgery for esophageal cancer improves postoperative nutritional status， and renders less effect on postoperative lung function and peripheral blood GATA3 and Foxp3 mRNA expression.