PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 1 year Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count greater than 1,500/mm3 Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin normal SGOT no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal PT and PTT normal No coagulopathy Renal: Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance greater than 70 mL/min Calcium no greater than 12 mg/dL Other: No severe psychiatric disorder that would preclude informed consent No known seizure disorder No peripheral neuropathy or POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes) syndrome No uncontrolled or brittle diabetes mellitus HIV negative No other active medical illness that would preclude study No other malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanomatous skin cancer or stage IA cervical carcinoma Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study