OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the effect of amifostine alone and in combination with epoetin alfa on bone marrow progenitor cells and number of blast cells, blood leukocyte counts, reticulocytes, hemoglobin level, and platelet counts as well as peripheral blood and bone marrow blast cell count in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes at a low risk of developing acute leukemia. II. Determine partial or complete response and duration of response in this patient population. III. Characterize the subjective and objective toxicity of amifostine in these patients.