  A recent analysis of the IRAS database indicates that the massive star
formation rates in early-type (Sa-Sab) spirals are comparable to the massive
star formation rates in late-type spirals. $H\alpha$ imaging of some of the
infrared luminous early-type spirals reveals two types of galaxies. One type
shows clear signs of interaction, whereas the other type appears to host a
nuclear starburst. The occurence of nuclear starbursts in early-type spirals
may be related to the propensity for such galaxies to also host Seyfert nuclei.
The evidence for interactions suggests that early-type spirals are evolving in
the current epoch.
