OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the clinical efficacy of 4'-iodo-4'-deoxydoxorubicin in producing palliation of symptoms and/or improvement of organ dysfunction caused by organ infiltration by amyloid in patients with primary systemic amyloidosis. II. Assess the safety profile, with emphasis on cardiac safety, of this drug in these patients. III. Evaluate the time to progression of amyloidosis-associated clinical symptoms and/or organ dysfunction, duration of response, and survival of these patients on this regimen.