By using clabel instead, yes...but takes some munging-on there, even. Using the example from countour as starting point--
x = -2:0.2:2;
y = -2:0.2:3;
[X,Y] = meshgrid(x,y);
Z = X.*exp(-X.^2-Y.^2);
figure
[C,h]=contour(X,Y,Z,'ShowText','off');
hT=clabel(C,0.4);
hT(2).String=['n = ' hT(2).String];
hT(1).Color='w';
results in
It'll take quite a bit of cleanup from here, but it is at least possible.
The problem ran into w/ R2017b w/ clabel is that it won't return the text object line handles for many combinations of inputs and the only ones I found that would include the '+' and upright text -- not possible with the default inline text.
To do that and then find the handles would take "handle-diving" into the hidden properties not exposed by default to find and modify those text() objects appropriately.
Not a task for the faint-hearted and it best be really, really important, probably!
Not bad for an enhancement request, though, like so much of HG2, there are always things that could be done that TMW just chose not to let the user be able to get at easily.
