AIDS: The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America convened a third major conference for HIV/AIDS researchers in early 1996. The conference's theme was the demise of AZT monotherapy. Data was presented on protease inhibitors, particularly the most potent ones, indinavir and ritonavir, which decrease viral load by two to three logs in some studies. Research is showing viral load to be an excellent marker for clinical decision making. Specific conference topics included: HIV and tuberculosis, HIV pathogenesis, wasting, pediatrics, antiretrovirals, women and HIV, opportunistic infections, perinatal transmission, and occupational exposure. Each topic is briefly discussed.