PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) OR ALT or AST no greater than 1.5 times ULN OR Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.25 times ULN Cardiovascular: No hypertension No ischemic heart disease No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No congestive heart failure Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No uncontrolled infection No other concurrent severe and/or uncontrolled comorbid medical condition No prior malignancy within the past 5 years, except: Curatively treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix Basal cell skin cancer No other concurrent malignancy (e.g., endometrial cancer) No prior serious allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylactic shock) No symptomatic grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy