Patients are treated as outpatients if general health permits. This is continued for up to 90 days or until failure on basis of efficacy, tolerance, or toxicity. The dose escalation between groups of patients uses the formula n + 0.7n. Entry of new patients at the next higher dose is based on results of antiviral, tolerance, and safety data for the prior cohort when they have received at least 14 days of therapy. Consecutively qualifying patients are enrolled for each dose group and not based on either disease severity or expected tolerance. Although not formally randomized due to the sequential nature of the study and serious medical condition of the patients, every attempt to avoid bias in assigning a patient to a dose is made. Patients are advised to avoid heavy exercise within 24 hours of any laboratory tests.