PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: Greater than 3 months Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9.0 g/dL Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 PT or PTT no greater than 1.2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 time ULN ALT or AST no greater than 2 times ULN Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No grade 3 cardiac dysrhythmias No atrial fibrillation No prior myocardial infarction No history of unstable angina No history of congestive heart failure LVEF greater than 50% in patients with prior cumulative anthracycline dose less than 450 mg/m2 of doxorubicin Other: HIV negative Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective double-barrier contraception for at least 2 weeks before, throughout, and at least 2 weeks after the study Permanent central venous catheter in place No history of illicit drug or alcohol abuse within the past 5 years No emotional or psychiatric disorders No known significant drug allergies or serious adverse experiences with marketed or investigational drugs No allergy to latex Normal serum electrolytes No other serious medical disorders No active infections No history of significant retinal disorder or disease No history of seizure disorders