PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Any age Performance status: Karnofsky 50-100% Life expectancy: At least 6 weeks Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL ALT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine normal for age Cardiovascular: No unstable angina No uncontrolled arrhythmia Pulmonary: No third space effusion Other: No severe uncontrolled infection Adequate nutritional status At least third percentile for weight Normal total serum protein Normal albumin/globulin ratio No serious concurrent physical or mental illness Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception