PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL AST or ALT no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (no greater than 5 times ULN if due to tumor) PT and aPTT no greater than 1.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No unstable atrial or ventricular arrhythmias that require medication No ischemic events within 6 months Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No psychiatric disorders No history of seizure disorders No other severe concurrent disease No history of ulcers or abnormalities that would interfere with carbendazim absorption No history of hypersensitivity to PEG-formulated medications (including cyclosporine or etoposide)