A Phase II Study of Low-Dose Interleukin-2 by Subcutaneous Injection in Combination With Antiretroviral Therapy Versus Antiretroviral Therapy Alone in Patients With HIV-1 Infection and at Least 3 Months Stable Antiretroviral Therapy

Inclusion Criteria Concurrent Medication: Allowed: * PCP prophylaxis. * Therapy for an opportunistic infection that develops on study, with the exception of foscarnet for CMV disease or resistant Herpes simplex. * Systemic corticosteroids ONLY IF given for no longer than 21 days for acute PCP. * Topical corticosteroids to areas separate from a skin test or IL-2 injection site. * Acyclovir up to 1000 mg/day as maintenance for recurrent genital Herpes. * Erythropoietin and filgrastim. * Antiemetics. * Antibiotics as clinically indicated. * Elective standard immunizations at week 8 or later. Concurrent Treatment: Allowed: * Local radiation therapy. Prior Medication: Required: * Stable, approved antiretroviral therapy for at least 2 months (was 3 months, amended 3/26/96) prior to study entry. Patients must have: * HIV seropositivity. * CD4 count 300 - 700 cells/mm3. * Stable antiretroviral therapy for at least 2 months (was 3 months, amended 3/26/96) prior to study entry. * No history of AIDS-defining illness except for limited cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma. * Normal EKG (isolated nonspecific ST and T wave changes permitted). NOTE: * This protocol is approved for prisoner participation. Exclusion Criteria Co-existing Condition: Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded: * Malignancy requiring systemic or local cytotoxic chemotherapy. * Untreated thyroid disease. * Asthma requiring intermittent or chronic inhalation or systemic therapy. * Any medical condition that precludes study entry. Concurrent Medication: Excluded: * Antianginal agents such as nitrates, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, and antiarrhythmics. * Systemic or local cytotoxic chemotherapy. * Interferons. * Interleukins other than study drug. * Pentoxifylline ( Trental ). * Acetylcysteine ( NAC ). * Sargramostim ( GM-CSF ). * Dinitrochlorobenzene ( DCNB ). * Thymosin alpha 1. * Thymopentin. * Inosiplex ( Isoprinosine ). * Polyribonucleoside ( Ampligen ). * Ditiocarb sodium ( Imuthiol ). * Therapeutic HIV vaccines. * Investigational antiretroviral agents such as lamivudine ( 3TC ) and tat and protease inhibitors. * Foscarnet. * Aspirin. * Immune globulin ( IVIG ). * Thalidomide. * Systemic corticosteroids (permitted for 21 days or less for PCP treatment only). Concurrent Treatment: Excluded: * Ongoing transfusion. Patients with the following prior conditions are excluded: * History of autoimmune disease, including inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis (although autoimmune thyroid disease that is stable is allowed). * Clinically significant CNS disease or seizures that have been active within 1 year prior to study entry. Prior Medication: Excluded: * IL-2 within 3 months prior to study entry. * Any immunomodulatory therapy within 4 weeks prior to study entry. * Foscarnet within 4 weeks prior to study entry. * Acute therapy for an opportunistic infection within 14 days prior to study entry. Active alcohol or substance abuse that would compromise study compliance.