Recent advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of HIV infection in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are leading us to explore new treatment strategies, including the use of combination antiretroviral therapy. In this review, we present information from recently completed clinical trials that explore the use of combination therapy, including ACTG 175, the Delta studies, and the NUCA studies. In addition, we present preliminary information about the use of protease inhibitors, the newest class of antiretrovirals.