PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 65 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: AST no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine clearance at least 40 mL/min Other: No uncontrolled infection No uncontrolled seizure disorder No uncontrolled diabetes mellitus No other malignancies within the past 3 years except adequately treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer or noninvasive carcinomas