OUTLINE: A dose escalation schedule for the administration of decitabine (DAC) is being used to determine the MTD and biologically active dose. Patients are given two 12 hour continuous infusions per day, for 3 days at each dose level. A minimum of 3 patients are enrolled at each dose level until dose limiting toxicity (DLT) or biologic activity is observed. If DLT or biologic activity is observed at a particular dose level, an additional 3 patients are enrolled, for a total of 6. If 2 or more patients experience DLT, dose escalation is ceased.