OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the activity, measured in terms of progression free survival, of carmustine plus temozolomide in recurrent glioblastoma. II. Estimate the response rate of recurrent glioblastomas to this combination. III. Estimate the response rate of newly diagnosed anaplastic astrocytomas and mixed anaplastic glioma to this combination. IV. Evaluate the qualitative and quantitative toxicities of this combination in patients with anaplastic gliomas.