DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of recurrent or refractory acute myeloid leukemia CD33 positive Greater than 5% morphologically identified blasts in the marrow OR Diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome CD33 positive Greater than 5% morphologically identified blasts in the marrow (refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB) and RAEB in transformation) Must have donor who meets the following criteria: HLA-A, B, C, DRB1 and DQB1 identical or mismatched for no more than 1 allelic or cross-reactive antigen Under 75 years of age