PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 75,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL SGOT and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Calcium normal (8.9-10.3 mg/dL) Cardiovascular: No history of congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No uncontrolled or unexplained rhythm disturbance or symptoms of unstable ischemic heart disease Other: Not pregnant Fertile patients must use effective contraception No prior or concurrent malignancy within the past 5 years, except: Basal or squamous cell skin cancer Carcinoma in situ of the cervix No concurrent infection No significant uncontrolled hyponatremia No other significant concurrent medical or psychiatric illness which would preclude compliance No antecedent hearing loss Afebrile for at least 3 days unless fever due to tumor or obstructive pneumonia