PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Greater than 3 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3500/mm3 or absolute neutrophil count at least 2000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 0.3 mg/dL above upper limit of normal limit (ULN) AST no greater than 3 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 0.3 mg/dL above ULN Cardiovascular: No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease Other: Physician-estimated oral caloric intake of at least 1200 calories per day No uncontrolled infection or chronic debilitating disease Not pregnant or nursing Women of childbearing potential must use adequate contraception