DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Persistent febrile neutropenia associated with 1 of the following within 3 months prior to entry: Cytotoxic chemotherapy Bone marrow transplantation Neutropenia defined as either: ANC no greater than 500/mm3 ANC no greater than 1,000/mm3 and expected to decrease to 500/mm3 or less within 2 days after entry Persistent continuous or spiking fever of at least 38 C No association with administration of pyrogenic substances No response to at least 72 hours of empiric, broad-spectrum antibacterial therapy No microbiologically documented source of infection At least 30 days since documented invasive fungal infection