DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Previously diagnosed acute leukemia in one of the following categories: Acute myelogenous leukemia (any subtype) in first or subsequent remission Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in first or greater remission Ph- ALL in second or subsequent remission Cellular marrow with no morphologic evidence of residual leukemia within approximately 2 weeks of cryopreservation Negative CSF cytology required of ALL patients Allogeneic marrow transplant considered for patients under age 55 with a healthy HLA-identical family member available