This ninth annual KIDS COUNT data book examines statewide and county trends in the well-being of West Virginia's children. Following a summary of overall findings, including the decline since 1980 in the West Virginia child population, the bulk of the report presents the state's statistical portrait, based on 12 indicators of well-being: (1) percent low birth weight babies; (2) infant mortality rate; (3) child death rate; (4) percent of eligible children served by Head Start; (5) percent children approved for free and reduced school meals; (6) child abuse/neglect rate; (7) teen birth rate; (8) percent births to unmarried teens; (9) percent high school dropouts; (10) juvenile delinquency case rate; (11) teen violent death rate; and (12) percent births to mothers with less than a twelfth-grade education. Trends for data are indicated where appropriate, based on 1990-1998 data. Statewide, several indicators show improvement, particularly the number of eligible children served by Head Start and the juvenile delinquency case rate, while rates for low-birth weight babies and child abuse/neglect have worsened. Information on definitions, methodology, and sources concludes the data book. (HTH)