OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate engraftment after autografting with CD34 selected peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). II. Evaluate the efficacy of CD34 selection for purging CLL from PBSC collection. III. Determine the effectiveness of mobilization chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and dexamethasone plus filgrastim (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) to mobilize PBSC in these patients. IV. Describe toxicity and disease response to a conditioning regimen of total body irradiation and cyclophosphamide in these patients.