PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Other: Must be able to complete diary card (fluent in German, French, or Italian) No severe concurrent illness No other etiologies that cause vomiting, including: Gastrointestinal obstruction Hypercalcemia CNS metastases No active peptic ulceration No prior gastrointestinal bleeding due to peptic ulcer No moderate to severe nausea or any vomiting in the 24 hours prior to chemotherapy Not pregnant or lactating