PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: No specified Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL SGOT or SGPT no greater than 2.0 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No active congestive heart failure No uncontrolled angina No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception Negative pregnancy test No concurrent grade 4 infection No psychiatric disorder or mental disability No other life threatening illness