DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with 1 of the following classifications: Refractory anemia Refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts Refractory anemia with excess blasts Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia History of MDS, received chemotherapy for acute leukemia within past 12 months, and now in remission Myelodysplastic disease must be stable (not anticipated to require chemotherapy for at least 4 months) Must have 1 of the following N-, K-, or H-ras peptide mutations: Progenitor cells contain aspartic acid, valine, or serine substitution at codon 12, OR Aspartic acid or arginine substitution at codon 13