PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance Status: Karnofsky at least 60% Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL AST and ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Cardiovascular: At least 6 months since prior cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, or congestive heart failure Other: Not pregnant or nursing Effective contraceptive method must be used for 2 months after study completion Not HIV positive No uncontrolled or serious infection No pre-existing grade 3 or greater neurotoxicity Must be mentally capable of understanding the explanation of the study