DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in second complete remission (CR) for 30 days to less than 1 year before study entry Second CR defined by the following: Neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Normal bone marrow morphology with no excess blasts (greater than 5%) No myelodysplasia No extramedullary or CNS leukemia Initial diagnosis of de novo AML (M0-M7) No prior myelodysplasia No myeloproliferative disease No secondary AML Cytogenetics not required No cytogenetic evidence of persistent leukemia if cytogenetics performed