PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: More than 2 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN SGOT and SGPT no greater than 1.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Creatinine clearance at least 35 mL/min Cardiovascular: Acceptable cardiac exam No active cardiac ischemia Pulmonary: Acceptable pulmonary exam No active pulmonary infection or compromise Other: Not pregnant or nursing No peripheral neuropathy grade 2 or greater No other debilitating medical or psychiatric conditions that would preclude study No other malignancy within the past 3 years except limited stage basal or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No evidence of infection Adequate bowel function, oral intake, and wound healing ability