PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST and ALT no greater than 3 times ULN (no greater than 5 times ULN if due to liver disease) Albumin at least 2.0 g/dL Renal: Not specified Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study No active infection or serious concurrent systemic disorders No second primary malignancy in the past 5 years except carcinoma in situ of the cervix or adequately treated basal cell carcinoma of the skin No body surface area greater than 3 m2