OBJECTIVES: I. Determine whether a specific T-cell response can be induced in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome treated with mutant N-, K-, or H-ras peptide vaccine (limited to the specific N-, K-, or H-ras peptide mutation in their bone marrow) and intradermal sargramostim (GM-CSF). II. Determine whether HLA type or the ability to respond immunologically to common recall antigens correlates with the induction of anti-ras immune responses in these patients treated with this regimen. III. Assess toxicity of mutant N-, K-, or H-ras peptide vaccine in these patients.