PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC less than 30,000/mm3 at time of CMA-676 administration Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No severe cardiac disease Pulmonary: No severe pulmonary disease Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use an effective method of contraception Not known to be HIV positive No prior myelodysplastic syndrome No other active malignancy No uncontrolled infections Able to obtain bone marrow aspirate