PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 130,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT no greater than 2 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 0.5 mg/dL above ULN Other: No uncontrolled infection No other major medical conditions No other concurrent malignancy except superficial skin cancers Must be able to read English (quality of life assessment only) No other problem that may preclude quality of life assessment Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception