The Effectiveness of Three Anti-HIV Drug Combinations in HIV-Infected Patients Who Have Never Used Anti-HIV Drugs

Inclusion Criteria Concurrent Medication: Required: * TMP / SMX, aerosolized pentamidine, or dapsone for PCP prophylaxis. Allowed: * Atovaquone. * IV pentamidine. * TMP / SMX. * Trimetrexate. * Trimethoprim-dapsone. * Clindamycin-primaquine. * Topical antifungals. * Clotrimazole. * Ketoconazole. * Fluconazole. * Amphotericin B. * Itraconazole. * Rifabutin. * Isoniazid. * Pyrazinamide. * Clofazimine. * Clarithromycin. * Azithromycin. * Ethambutol. * Amikacin. * Ciprofloxacin. * Ofloxacin. * Pyrimethamine. * Sulfadiazine. * Clindamycin. * Filgrastim ( G-CSF ). * Up to 1000 mg/day acyclovir. * Erythropoietin. * Antibiotics. * Antipyretics. * Analgesics. * Antiemetics. * Rifampin. Concurrent Treatment: Allowed: * Local radiation therapy. Patients must have: * HIV infection. * CD4 count 300 - 600 cells/mm3. * NO history of AIDS. * NO active opportunistic infection. * NO prior nucleoside therapy. * Life expectancy at least 2 years. Exclusion Criteria Co-existing Condition: Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded: * Serious underlying medical condition other than HIV such that life expectancy is less than 2 years. * Malignancy requiring systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy. * Active grade 2 or worse peripheral neuropathy. Concurrent Medication: Excluded: * Antiretrovirals other than study drugs. * Systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy. * Foscarnet. Patients with the following prior conditions are excluded: * Chronic diarrhea defined as three or more stools per day for 15 days, within 30 days prior to study entry. * Unexplained temperature \>= 38.5 C for any 7 days within 30 days prior to study entry. * Active participation in other experimental therapy within 30 days prior to study entry. Prior Medication: Excluded: * Prior nucleoside antiretrovirals of 1 week or longer duration. * Any antiretroviral within 90 days prior to study entry. * Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors within 30 days prior to study entry. * Biologic response modifiers such as IL-2 and interferon within 30 days prior to study entry.