The authors evaluated 42 newly admitted medical inpatients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) using DSM-III-R criteria and obtained quantitative ratings of psychiatric morbidity using standard instruments. A current Axis I disorder was present in 61.9% of the patients. Organic mental disorders predominated (47.6% of all patients) and were more common in the most severely ill patients. Major depressive syndrome was rarer than expected (9.5%). Recent physical disability was correlated with repeated hospitalizations, and trends were found suggesting correlation of recent physical disability with increased anxiety and cognitive impairment. This study, using actual patient evaluations, suggests predictors of psychiatric morbidity in this setting and argues for routine psychiatric screening of medical inpatients with AIDS.