Patients who exhibit a histological and biochemical response to ribavirin monotherapy will be offered a one-year extension of treatment with ribavirin in a gradually reduced dosage. These patients will be monitored at 8 week intervals and the dose will be reduced by 200 mg per day every 16 weeks to a minimum dose of 600 mg per day. If the biochemical response is maintained, patients will continue on therapy for one year and then undergo repeat medical evaluation and liver biopsy. Continued therapy with ribavirin after this point will depend upon whether safety and efficacy of ribavirin have been demonstrated and whether ribavirin has been approved for use in hepatitis C.