PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance Status: ECOG 0-2 Life Expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL SGOT less than 3 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Other: No psychosis No significant medical illness No sensory neuropathy greater than grade 2