PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: Karnofsky 40-100% Life expectancy: At least 120 days Hematopoietic: Neutrophil count at least 1,200 cells/mm3 Platelet count at least 75,000 cells/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9.0 g/dL Hepatic: Creatinine less than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Bilirubin less than 2 times ULN Renal: Not specified Cardiovascular: Cardiac ejection fraction at least 50% No histopathological evidence of antracycline-induced cardiomyopathy Pulmonary: No significant non-Kaposi's sarcoma associated pulmonary insufficiency (defined as oxygen saturation less than 90%) Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile women must be using medically proven method of birth control No opportunistic infection in the past 4 weeks No other active malignancies except basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or in situ cervical or anal carcinoma No neuropsychiatric history or altered mental status that prevents informed consent or compliance with protocol requirements