WHAT THE REPORT SAYS The top three states in terms of hunger and food insecurity, along with the national average, according to an October report by the Agriculture Department of Agriculture. The government defines hunger as the "uneasy or painful sensation caused by lack of food." Households that are "food insecure" have trouble getting adequate or nutritious food. Figures are for 1996-98. FOOD INSECURITY: New Mexico, 15.1 percent of households were ``food insecure.'' Mississippi, 14 percent. Texas, 12.9 percent. National average, 9.7 percent. HUNGER: Oregon, 5.8 percent of households. Texas, 5 percent. New Mexico, 4.7 percent. National average, 3.5 percent.

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Texas Gov. George W. Bush said Monday he doesn't believe a federal report that says the country's second-largest state is also the second-hungriest.

Bush also questioned the timing of the Agriculture Department report that said 5 percent of Texas families sometimes go hungry.

"I'm sure there are some people in my state who are hungry," Bush said during a question and answer session with reporters at West High School. "I don't believe 5 percent are hungry."

He also said Texans who are hungry should be fed, perhaps by getting them food stamps.

Bush, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination on a theme of "compassionate conservatism," suggested the report might have been released to embarrass him.

"Yeah, I'm surprised a report floats out of Washington when I'm running a presidential campaign," he said. "It seems like a lot of reports are floating out of Washington."

Agriculture Department spokesman Andy Solomon denied there was any intent to embarrass Bush.

"It might be tough to believe that during the best economy in generations hunger persists in America and in Texas, but as our study and as food banks in the governor's state can tell you, it does," Solomon said. "Part of the difficulty in addressing the problem of hunger is getting people to acknowledge it."

The report, covering the years 1996-98, was released in October. Challenging comments from Bush were published Saturday by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Bush's skepticism about the scope of the problem incensed Texans who provide food to the poor.

"Where can I get ahold of Mr. Bush? I'd like him to come visit our food bank to see how empty our shelves are right now. We're scrounging for food," said Amelia Gonzalez, executive director of the Community Food Bank of Victoria, Texas.

Judy Carter, executive director of the Capitol Area Food Bank in Austin, said her agency has distributed 38 percent more food this year than in 1998 while donations have increased by 8 percent.

"Oh my. How can I put this tactfully? If he says he will see to it there are no hungry people in Texas, that's good news," Ms. Carter said. "Certainly, our experience is there are many hungry people."

The report measured the percentage of households that experience "food insecurity" -- defined as difficulty in getting adequate, nutritious and safe food -- as well as hunger -- an "uneasy or painful sensation caused by lack of food."

The report found 12.9 percent of Texas households experienced food insecurity, compared with a national average of 9.7 percent. Five percent experienced hunger, compared with 3.5 percent nationally. Only Oregon had a higher proportion of hungry families, 5.8 percent.

"We don't have a lot of starvation, but we do have chronic malnutrition -- people who water down cereal or skip breakfast for their children," said Liz Morris, spokeswoman for Interfaith Ministries in Houston, which coordinates a network of 90 church food pantries.

"People may be employed but not making enough to feed their families," she said. "At the end of World War II, somebody with the sweat of his brow and labor of his hands could feed their family. Today, without a degree, you can't make enough to feed your family."

Bush seemed of like mind on that last point in a speech to 900 high school students Monday afternoon. He told them how important it is to work hard in school, go on to higher education and become conversant with the Internet.

"Years ago, you could make a pretty good living if you could lift things," he said. "Today, you need to think."