PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-3 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: See Disease Characteristics Blood counts recovered from any prior antileukemic agents Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (no greater than 3 times ULN if liver involvement suspected) AST and ALT no greater than 3 times ULN (no greater than 5 times ULN if liver involvement suspected) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN Cardiovascular: No grade 3 or 4 cardiac disease Other: No serious other concurrent medical condition Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for at least 2 weeks after study for women and at least 3 months after study for men No history of noncompliance with medical regimens