PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 16 to 80 Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3000/mm3 Granulocyte count at least 1500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal Cardiovascular: Ejection fraction at least 50% Other: No severe anorexia, nausea, or vomiting No concurrent significant medical complications that would preclude compliance Not pregnant Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study