This 1997 KIDS COUNT data book provides a national and state-by-state (including the District of Columbia) compilation of benchmarks of the educational, social, economic, and physical well-being of children in the United States. Ten indicators of children's well-being are taken from government sources: (1) percent of low birth-weight babies; (2) infant mortality rate; (3) child death rate; (4) rate of teen deaths by accident, homicide, and suicide; (5) teen birth rate; (6) juvenile violent crime arrest rate; (7) percent of teens who are high school dropouts; (8) percent of teens not attending school and not working; (9) percent of children in poverty; and (10) percent of families with children headed by a single parent. An overview discusses improving education for children in poor neighborhoods. A summary and findings section presents overall trends for each indicator. The bulk of the book consists of graphic and numerical presentations of the indicators nationwide and by state. For each state, information is presented on demographic changes, health and economic characteristics, and education indicators. Appendices delineate standard scores and national rankings, states in rank order by indicator, multi-year trend data for Kids Count Indicators, multi-year national composite ranks, and states in rank order by education indicator. The document ends with definitions of the Kids Count Indicators, the rationale for their selection, and primary contacts for State Kids Count Projects. (SD)