Most Efficient Count?

Hi all,
I am looking to create a query/re****t that will display a count of 3
tables. 
 The tables are t1, t2, t3 - the key OID links tables t1 and t2 (and is
also 
available in t3), where t2 can have multiple records from t1 and t3 may
have 
multiple records of t2, but also has the key of CID
What would be the most efficient way to display a count of all three
tables 
so my data line would be something like 
t1Count    t2Count   t3Count
312          1231       34451
I have started creating 3 separate count queries and then joining them,
but 
it takes a long time for them to process.  Would it be better to have the 
table feed to a form and then have VBA run the count?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks
-gary