PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Zubrod 0-2 (3-4 allowed if due solely to bone pain) Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3 (at least 50% plasma cells in bone marrow) Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT or SGPT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use 2 methods of effective contraception for 4 weeks before, during, and for 4 weeks after study No other prior or concurrent malignancies within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or any other adequately treated stage I or II cancer in complete remission No grade 2 or greater preexisting peripheral neuropathy