 Patients receive high-dose epoetin alfa subcutaneously SC once a week for 4 weeks or until their hemoglobin levels reach 12-13 gdL. Patients then receive epoetin alfa SC once every 2 weeks for 8 weeks OR once a week for 4 weeks, and then once every 2 weeks for 8 weeks as long as their hemoglobin levels remain between 12-13 gdL. Patients then receive maintenance epoetin alfa SC once every 4 weeks for up to 12 weeks. 