PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy and recovered No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: No more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for systemic disease At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas and mitomycin) and recovered No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent hormonal therapy, including oral contraceptives No concurrent systemic corticosteroids Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered No prior radiotherapy to greater than 30% of bone marrow Whole pelvic radiation alone is not exclusionary No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior surgery Other: At least 4 weeks since other prior investigational therapy and recovered No prior farnesyl protein transferase inhibitor