Patients hospitalized for Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease among the multi-ethnic population of Florida have been incompletely characterized to date. The objectives of the present study were to determine the race/ethnic (whites, blacks, Hispanics) differences in characteristics of patients by gender and the correlates of HIV-related mortality among them. A retrospective analysis of 9,113 discharge records (January to December 2001) with primary diagnosis of HIV disease was performed. Characteristics of patients in six sex-race/ethnic groups were compared using the X2 tests and multiple regression models. A multiple logistic regression modeling was used to evaluate the odds of HIV-related death associated with these characteristics. Approximately 64%, 23%, and 13% of records were for blacks, whites, and Hispanics, respectively. The adjusted length of stay (LOS) and hospital charges significantly differed only between black men and women. The insurance status, LOS, and age were significant correlates of HIV-related deaths. The potential causes of disparities between sex-ethnic groups of patients should be further explored.