PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 70 and under Menopausal status: Not specified Performance status: Not specified 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 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL No medically unmanageable, severe hypokalemia Cardiovascular: No history of atrial arrhythmia or congestive heart failure No history of thromboembolic disease, except successfully treated catheter related thrombosis LVEF at least 45% Other: No active infection requiring systemic antibiotics HIV negative No known allergy to murine or E. coli proteins No documented prior anaphylactic reaction to interleukin-11 or filgrastim (G-CSF) No papilledema No history of Factor V Leiden defect, factor II, antithrombin III, Protein C or Protein S deficiencies Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception