PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 0.5 to 65 Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: See Disease Characterisitics Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 2.5 mg/dL (unless Gilbert's syndrome present) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No active congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, or angina pectoris No myocardial infarction within past 12 months Pulmonary: No requirement for oxygen Other: Afebrile for greater than 48 hours No active, serious infection (e.g., sepsis, mucormycosis, or uncontrolled aspergillosis) No debilitating medical or psychiatric illness that would preclude compliance Not pregnant Fertile patients must use effective contraception