This Kids Count data book examines statewide trends in the well-being of Missouri's children. The statistical portrait is based on outcome measures of general areas of children's well being: (1) students free/reduced price lunch program; (2) births to mothers without high school diplomas; (3) low birthweight infants; (4) infant mortality; (5) child deaths; (6) lead poisoning; (7) child abuse; (8) out-of-home placements; (9) high school dropout rates; (10) births to teens; and (11) teen violent deaths. Following a brief profile of the state and of minority populations, the second section of the report provides information on the state as a whole by outcome measures. The third section provides information on Missouri's youth risk behavior in areas such as safety, weapons use, substance abuse, mental health, sexual activity, HIV/AIDS awareness, tobacco use, and lifestyles. The fourth section addresses new federal and state laws concerning children in foster care, while the fifth section addresses other important legislative developments for children in 1998. The sixth section, and bulk of the report, provides data by county as follows: (1) outcome measures; (2) dates; (3) numbers; (4) rates; (5) trends; (6) state rates; (7) county rates; (8) county trends; (9) indicators; and (10) composite county rankings. Three appendices include: raw data by county; data notes, sources and references; and composite county ranks for 1995-1998. (SD)