The data analyzed uses cases from New York City for the years 1984 through 1987. Deaths of persons in treatment increased from 11 in 1984 to 39 in 1987; AIDS related deaths increased from 3.6 per thousand people to 14.7 per thousand people; deaths due to bacterial pneumonia/sepsis increased from 3.6 per thousand to 13.6 per thousand; and deaths from cirrhosis, drug overdose, trauma, and other causes remained relatively stable. AIDS incidence rose from six cases per thousand persons in 1984 to 20.4 per thousand in 1987. Hospitalization for AIDS pneumonia, tuberculosis, and endocarditis/sepsis increased from 84.9 per thousand in 1986 to 144.8 per thousand in 1987. Results indicate that the AIDS epidemic profoundly effects patterns of morbidity and mortality among intravenous drug users in this methadone program population and that drug treatment programs may be important sites for targeting clinical services for drug users with AIDS. Finally, the increasing dilemma of AIDS related diseases will require expansion of existing funding and treatment resources. 1 figure, 3 tables, 42 references. (Author abstract modified)