PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy: Greater than 16 weeks Hematopoietic: WBC at least 4000/mm3 Platelet count at least 125,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 8 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin within normal limits SGOT no greater than 1.5 times normal (2.5 times normal with disease involvement) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times normal PT or PTT less than 1.5 times normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times normal Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No history of congestive heart failure, active ischemic heart disease, or uncontrolled hypertension No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months Other: Not pregnant or nursing (negative pregnancy test required) Fertile patients must use effective contraception No weight loss of 10% or more in the past 3 months No frequent vomiting No severe anorexia