DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that has relapsed after prior treatment(s) Slowly progressing disease as defined by bone marrow blasts of greater than 5% and less than 30% confirmed by at least 2 marrow aspirates taken 2 weeks apart Must be in either: First relapse after autologous bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation OR First or subsequent relapse either refractory to or not eligible for further conventional treatment regimens