OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Patients receive amifostine IV 3 times per week for 3 weeks followed by 1 week of rest. Response is assessed after 2 courses of therapy. Treatment continues in the absence of disease progression. Patients with complete response receive 1 additional course. Patients with partial response or stable disease are stratified into 2 groups: Group 1: Patients with hemoglobin of at least 10 g/dL without transfusion receive 2 additional courses of amifostine alone. Group 2: Patients with hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL, or who are transfusion dependent, receive 2 additional courses of amifostine in combination with epoetin alfa subcutaneously 3 times per week. Both groups are reevaluated after these 2 additional courses. Treatment may then continue at the discretion of the treating physician. Patients are followed every 3 months.