PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Under 75 Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: Greater than 2 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 4,000/mm3 Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 35 micromoles/L Renal: Creatinine less than 130 micromoles/L Cardiovascular: No severe cardiac insufficiency Pulmonary: No respiratory disease that would preclude study Other: No other serious illness that would preclude study No psychological illness that would preclude study No peripheral neuropathy No prior malignancy not considered cured Not pregnant Fertile patients must use effective contraception