DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven poor prognosis acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), or recurrent/refractory acute lymphocytic leukemia, including: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) stages B and C Refractory anemia, refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts, or refractory anemia with excess blasts (between 5% and 20% myeloblasts) MDS with increased erythroblasts or monocytoblasts of no greater than 20% MDS in transformation (between 20% to 30% myeloblasts) or acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (at least 30% myeloblasts) Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia Poor prognosis refractory or recurrent acute myeloid leukemia after complete response Secondary or therapy related AML or MDS AML blastic crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia or other myeloproliferative disorders such as polycythemia vera, essential thrombocytopenia, or agnogenic myeloid metaplasia