THE KIDNAPING OF THE SCHOOL BUS AND ITS OCCUPANTS, INCLUDING 26 CHILDREN AND A DRIVER, IS DRAMATICALLY DETAILED. THE VICTIMS WERE TRANSPORTED IN TWO VANS AND CONCEALED IN AN UNDERGROUND QUARRY. A CHRONOLOGICAL ACCOUNT OF THE INVESTIGATION, SEARCH FOR THE SUSPECTS, AND PURSUIT OF CLUES IS GIVEN FIRST-HAND, AND THE EVENTUAL DISCOVERY OF CONVICTING EVIDENCE IS DESCRIBED. THE KIDNAPERS WERE THREE YOUTHS FROM UPPER MIDDLE-CLASS WHITE FAMILIES. INFORMATION WAS GATHERED FROM THE DIARY OF ONE OF THE YOUTHS AND FROM INTERVIEWS WITH FRIENDS OF THE THREE MEN. THE TRIAL AND CONVICTION IS ALSO DISCUSSED. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE KIDNAPERS, THE VICTIMS, THE VAN, AND HIDEOUT ARE INCLUDED, AND REPRODUCTIONS OF THE RANSOM MESSAGE, OTHER NOTES, AND LISTS WRITTEN BY THE KIDNAPERS ARE PROVIDED. (DAG)