PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Any age Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: More than 3 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 3.5 mg/dL (50 micromoles/liter) Renal: Not specified Cardiovascular: No uncontrolled heart disease (e.g., congestive heart failure, angina) Other: No uncontrolled infection No other uncontrolled medical illness