PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation No concurrent interleukin-11 Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior extensive radiotherapy that would preclude study irradiation Surgery: Not specified Other: At least 30 days since prior investigational study No other concurrent investigational agents No concurrent prophylactic oral cryotherapy during study chemotherapy