Paclitaxel Eluting Stent or Exercise for Thigh Atherosclerosis

Inclusion Criteria: * Patient has signed and dated the informed consent. * Patient has 1- 2 documented stenotic or occluded atherosclerotic lesions (up to 18 cm long) of the above-the-knee femoropopliteal artery, that meet all of the inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria. * Reference vessel (the above-the-knee femoropopliteal artery) diameter of 4 mm to 9 mm. * Taget lesion(s) should be accessible for stenting, as imaged with angiography (digital subtraction, MRI or CTI), i.e. proximal cm of SFA must be open * Patient has a de novo or restenotic lesion(s) with \>50% stenosis documented angiographically and no prior stent in the target lesion. * Patient has symptoms of peripheral arterial disease classified as Rutherford Category 2 (moderate claudication) or 3 (severe claudication) lasting for at least 3 months. (Positive Claudication Questionnaire) * Exercise therapy, smoking cessation advise and best medical therapy must have been implemented at least 3 months ago and without significant clinical effect. * Patient has a resting ABI \<0.9 or an abnormal exercise ABI (decrease of more than 0.15) if resting ABI is normal. Patient with incompressible arteries (ABI \>1.2) must have a TBI \<0.8. * Patient agrees to return for a clinical status assessment and duplex ultrasound at 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and at 24 months. Exclusion Criteria: * Patient is pregnant, breast-feeding or under 18 years of age. * Patient unable to understand and sign informed consent forms * Patient is simultaneously participating in another investigational drug or device study. * Patient has any planned surgical or interventional procedure within 30 days after the study procedure. * Patient in whom antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant therapy is contraindicated. * Patient has known hypersensitivity or contraindication to aspirin, antiplatelet medication, contrast dye, paclitaxel or nitinol. * Patient 2-3 patent crural vessel runoff with \<50% stenosis throughout its course. * Activity limited by co-morbid condition other than claudication, for example: severe coronary artery disease; angina pectoris; chronic lung disease; neurological disorder such as hemiparesis; arthritis, or other musculoskeletal conditions including amputation and BMI \> 40 * Other active significant medical problems such as cancer, known chronic renal disease (serum creatinine greater than 2.0 mg/dl within 60 days or renal replacement therapy), known chronic liver disease or anaemia, active substance abuse, or known history of dementia