PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 15 to 65 Performance status: WHO 0-1 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3000/mm3 Neutrophil count greater than 2,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater 1.75 mg/dL Albumin at least 25 g/L Renal: Creatinine clearance greater than 70 mL/min Cardiovascular: No history of uncontrolled cardiovascular disease Other: Fertile women must use effective contraception No other severe medical illness including psychosis No prior primary malignant tumor except: Adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix Basal cell carcinoma