PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior stem cell transplantation Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for metastatic or locally advanced disease No prior high dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation Prior adjuvant chemotherapy allowed At least 6 months since prior chemotherapy No other concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered No more than 25% of functioning bone marrow irradiated No concurrent radiotherapy to sole site of measurable disease Surgery: At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery Other: No other concurrent anticancer therapy