The Safety and Effectiveness of Zidovudine in the Treatment of Patients With Early AIDS Related Complex

Inclusion Criteria * Patients must have a positive antibody to HIV confirmed by a federally licensed ELISA test kit. * The CD4 cell count must be 201 - 799 cells/mm3 measured on two separate occasions within 60 days at least 72 hours apart prior to study entry (at least 1 of 2 counts and the mean must be \< 800 cells/mm3, and at least 1 of 2 counts and the mean must be \> 200 cells/mm3). The last count must be within 14 days of study entry. Concurrent Medication: Allowed: * Acetaminophen and acetaminophen products but use should be minimized. Continuous use for \> 72 hours is discouraged. * Aerosolized pentamidine. Prior Medication: Allowed: * Chemoprophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia with aerosolized pentamidine of 300 mg every 4 weeks through the Respirgard II nebulizer if patient has CD4(+) count \< 200 cells/mm3 measured on 2 determinations at least 48 hours apart. Exclusion Criteria Concurrent Medication: Excluded: * Other antiretroviral agents, biologic modifiers or corticosteroids. * Other experimental medications. * Systemic chemoprophylaxis of Pneumocystic carinii pneumonia (PCP) - aerosolized pentamidine is allowed. Prior Medication: Excluded: * Zidovudine (AZT). * Other antiretroviral agents. * Excluded within 30 days of study entry: * Biologic modifiers or corticosteroids. * Excluded within 60 days of study entry: * Ribavirin. Prior Treatment: Excluded within 30 days of study entry: * Blood transfusions. Patients may not have any of the following diseases or symptoms: * Active oral candidiasis at entry. * An opportunistic infection or malignancy fulfilling the definition of AIDS (CDC Surveillance Case Definition for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). * Temperature \> 38.5 degrees C persisting for \> 14 consecutive days or \> 15 days in a 30-day interval present at entry. * Chronic diarrhea defined as = or \> 3 liquid stools per day, persisting for \> 14 days without a definable cause during the past 2 years. * HIV neurologic disease as manifested by motor abnormalities including impaired rapid eye movements or ataxia; motor weakness in the lower extremities; sensory deficit consistent with a peripheral neuropathy; bladder or bowel incontinence. * Concurrent neoplasms other than basal cell carcinoma of the skin or in situ carcinoma of the cervix. * Subjects with hemophilia should be evaluated and treated under the hemophilia protocols, if available at that ACTG. Patients may not have any of the following diseases or symptoms: * Active oral candidiasis at entry. * An opportunistic infection or malignancy fulfilling the definition of AIDS (CDC Surveillance Case Definition for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). * Temperature \> 38.5 degrees C persisting for \> 14 consecutive days or \> 15 days in a 30-day interval present at entry. * Chronic diarrhea defined as = or \> 3 liquid stools per day, persisting for \> 14 days without a definable cause during the past 2 years. * HIV neurologic disease as manifested by motor abnormalities including impaired rapid eye movements or ataxia; motor weakness in the lower extremities; sensory deficit consistent with a peripheral neuropathy; bladder or bowel incontinence. * Concurrent neoplasms other than basal cell carcinoma of the skin or in situ carcinoma of the cervix. * Subjects with hemophilia should be evaluated and treated under the hemophilia protocols, if available at that ACTG. Active drug or alcohol abuse.