Safety and efficacy evaluations were performed at specified intervals throughout the study and included assessment of laboratory tests (Complete Blood Count [CBC], Serum Chemistry [including hemoglobin level]), vital signs (such as blood pressure), physical examinations and the occurrence and severity of adverse events. All patients enrolled in this study received pharmacologic ferrous sulfate 325 mg by mouth once a day or an equivalent formulation, as tolerated, unless it was determined by the physician that the patient should not receive it. All patient's received injections of PROCRIT (Epoetin alfa) 60,000 Units under the skin once every two weeks. If after 4 weeks of treatment, the patient's hemoglobin level did not increase by >= 1 g/dL, the Epoetin alfa dose was increased to 80,000 Units every 2 weeks. Study drug was administered for a maximum of 12 weeks followed by a 4-week observation period after the last dose of study drug. Epoetin alfa doses were reduced or held as needed depending on the patients' hemoglobin level.