PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Any age Performance status: SWOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 75,000/mm3 Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.6 mg/dL AND/OR Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/minute Other: Not pregnant or nursing Women/men of reproductive potential must use effective contraception