The patients are evaluated as outpatients at weeks 1, 2, 4 and then every 4 weeks during the 24-48 weeks of interferon-ribavirin-PPC (or placebo) treatment as well as during the subsequent PPC (placebo) therapy. Upon cessation of antiviral treatment, study patients may be seen on a quarterly basis if, in the Investigator's judgment, this flexible schedule will not impact negatively on patient care but will impact positively on patient retention. Biochemical testing is performed by a central laboratory. Plasma HCV RNA levels are determined before treatment, during interferon-ribavirin treatment at 24 and 48 weeks, after interferon-ribavirin therapy at months 18, 24 and 30 and at the end of the 3 years. Plasma HCV RNA is measured by a quantitative reverse-transcription-polymerase-chain-reaction assay (Cobas Amplicor for HCV Monitor v.2, Roche Diagnostic Systems, Inc.) that has a sensitivity of 3000 IU/ml with a linearity up to 2.5 X 106 IU/ml. Samples negative with the quantitative HCV-RNA are retested with the qualitative HCV-PCR assay (Cobas Amplicor for HCV 2.0, Roche Diagnostic Systems, Inc.) that has a sensitivity of 60 IU/ml. HCV genotyping is carried out according to Stuyver et al, (1993; Inno-LIPA HCVII, Immunogenetics).