PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18-75 Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Greater than 3 months Hematopoietic: Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL (at least 3 weeks since last transfusion) Platelet count at least 75,000/mm3 Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Transaminases no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN No unstable or uncontrolled hypercalcemia Cardiovascular: No venous access problems that would preclude blood sampling No symptomatic class II-IV congestive heart failure No significant ventricular arrhythmia requiring drug control No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No uncontrolled cardiac disease or unstable angina No recurrent thromboembolic events No unstable or uncontrolled arterial hypertension Pulmonary: No history of recurrent aspiration pneumonitis or aspiration pneumonia No severe respiratory insufficiency, defined by oxygen partial pressure less than 60 mm Hg on room air and requirement for chronic oxygen therapy Gastrointestinal: See Surgery No active gastrointestinal disease or disorder that alters gastrointestinal motility or absorption No lack of integrity of the gastrointestinal tract No unstable or uncontrolled diarrhea or peptic ulcer disease Other: Able to receive IV and oral regimens Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception for at least 2 weeks before, during, and for at least 9 days after study No preexisting peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 1 No active infection within the past 2 weeks No fever (temperature at least 37.5 degrees C) or other symptoms of possible infection within 10 days after completing antimicrobial treatment No psychological, familial, or sociological condition that would preclude study No unstable or uncontrolled preexisting medical condition (e.g., diabetes, alcohol withdrawal)