PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Sex: Women only Menopausal status: Not specified Performance status: Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 2,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL Other: No second malignancy within 5 years except: Adequately treated nonmelanomatous skin cancer Adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test required of premenopausal women Appropriate contraception required of fertile women Blood/body fluid analyses to determine eligibility and physical exams for tumor measurement completed within 7 days prior to registration; imaging studies to evaluate and document measurable disease completed within 4 weeks prior to registration