PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Course I: Karnofsky 50-100% Courses II-IV: Karnofsky 30-100% Life expectancy: At least 6 months and no greater than 2.5 years (for course I only) Hematopoietic: Course I: Hemoglobin at least 8 g/dL WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Courses II-IV: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 75,000/mm3 Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.7 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 40 mL/min Cardiovascular: No history of congestive heart failure unless ejection fraction at least 40% Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study No other concurrent malignancy except MEN I or II or squamous cell skin cancer No concurrent significant, uncontrolled, medical, psychiatric, or surgical condition that would preclude study (course 1)