PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: ANC at least 1,500/mm3 (at least 1,000/mm3 in CLL patients with at least 30% marrow involvement) Platelets at least 100,000/mm3 (at least 50,000/mm3 in CLL patients with at least 30% marrow involvement) Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL Transaminases less than 2.5 times normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No history of impaired cardiac status, e.g.: Severe coronary artery disease Cardiomyopathy Uncontrolled congestive heart failure Arrhythmia Other: No known AIDS or HIV infection No second malignancy within 5 years except: Adequately treated nonmelanomatous skin cancer In situ cervical cancer Not pregnant or nursing Effective contraception required of fertile patients during and for 2 months after study