OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the toxicity profile, dose limiting toxicity, and maximum tolerated dose of UCN-01 administered as a 3, 2, or 1 hour infusion every 4 weeks for patients with advanced solid tumor malignancies and chronic lymphoproliferative disorders. II. Investigate the pharmacokinetics and cellular pharmacodynamics of UCN-01 administered on this schedule in these patients. III. Obtain preliminary evidence of the antitumor activity of UCN-01 in this patient population.