This Michigan Kids Count data book for 1997-98 describes the condition of children in each of Michigan's 83 counties. As in previous data books, an overview of general trends in the state and developments in each major area of child well-being are presented. This year's book also displays data for counties arranged into five groups based on metropolitan status and geographic location. Following an introduction focusing on the special issues of immunization and lead poisoning, data are presented for the state and for each county in five areas: (1) economic security (child poverty, free and reduced price lunch); (2) child health (inadequate prenatal care, low birth-weight babies, infant mortality, child deaths); (3) child safety (investigations of child abuse or neglect, child abuse and neglect victims, out-of-home care); (4) adolescence (births to teens, teen deaths, index crime arrests, high school dropouts); and (5) education (special education, inadequate reading skills). Overall, the report indicates that child well-being in Michigan declined between the mid-1980s and the mid-1990s, with 13 of the 19 key indicators worsening. Of the six indicators showing improvement, the rates for infant mortality and for child death registered the most significant declines. The report concludes with data notes and sources. (EV)