OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the qualitative or quantitative toxic effects and tolerability of liposomal cytarabine (Depofoam encapsulated cytarabine; DTC 101) in pediatric patients with recurrent or refractory meningeal malignancies. II. Define a safe dose of DTC 101 in these patients for future clinical studies. III. Determine the plasma and CSF pharmacokinetics of DTC 101 in these patients.