OUTLINE: Patients receive suramin on days 1-5, 8, 11, 15, 19, 22, and 29. During course 1, patients also receive suramin on days 36, 43, 50, 57, 64, 71, and 78. Suramin is administered IV over 2 hours on day 1 of course 1 and over 1 hour on all subsequent infusion days. Patients undergo rest for at least 12 weeks between each course. Patients with responding disease after completion of course 2 may receive additional courses in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. Patients are followed weekly for 1 month, every 2 weeks for 1 month, at 3 months, and then monthly thereafter if indicated.