PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 65 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 10.0 g/dL Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal Other: No dysphagia or inability to swallow capsules intact No peripheral neuropathy grade 2 or greater No other significant medical condition that would preclude study No active infection within the past 2 weeks No other malignancy within the past 5 years