Acute primary HIV-1 infection (PHI) follows exposure to the HIV-1 virus and results in a rapid rise in plasma viremia within days to 1 to 3 weeks. Individuals with acute PHI or early HIV-1 infection represent a potentially unique patient population in which to evaluate potent antiretroviral therapies because of the degree of viral heterogeneity and the fact that immunologic disruption is likely to be lower than in later stages of HIV-1 disease. The optimal treatment for acute PHI is unknown. This study evaluates a regimen consisting of enteric-coated didanosine (ddI-EC), stavudine (d4T), and the HIV-1 protease inhibitor, BMS-232632.