PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: CALGB 0-2 Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times normal Other: HIV negative (testing required for patients at risk) No uncontrolled infection No other serious medical condition that would interfere with evaluation of study agent No psychiatric condition that would preclude protocol completion or informed consent No second malignancy within 5 years except curatively treated: Basal cell skin cancer Cervical cancer Not pregnant or nursing Adequate contraception required of fertile patients