This 1996 KIDS COUNT data book presents comparative data on child well-being for each county in Montana and for the state as a whole. Data in the county profiles, which comprise the bulk of the report, are grouped into: background facts (demographic, mental health, education, security, and income support information); charts showing changes in population, per capita income, and public school enrollment; a High Risk Family Formation Index (or percent of births to high-risk mothers); and a county indicator grid containing 14 indicators. For each county, data for 1996 (or the latest available period) are compared with those for 1990 and for the state as a whole in 1996 (or the latest available period). Indicators are: (1) percent low birth weight; (2) infant mortality rate; (3) percent entering prenatal care in the first trimester; (4) average number of prenatal visits; (5) average cost of Medicaid pregnancy services; (6) percent Title 1 remedial education; (7) percent special education; (8) student/teacher ratio; (9) percent Medicaid births; (10) percent of children age 0 to 21 eligible to receive Medicaid; (11) those accessing Medicaid services; (12) percent of children eligible to receive free and reduced meals; (13) number of youths under age 20 admitted to alcohol and drug treatment programs; and (14) percent of births to single teens. The report also presents statewide information in five areas: health, economic well-being, security, social behavior, and education, as well as a new section, "What's New," presenting data in 13 previously unreported areas such as DARE, Head Start, and dental screening. (EAJ)