PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic: SGOT and SGPT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN (except with bone metastases) PT and PTT no greater than ULN Bilirubin no greater than ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than ULN OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No congestive heart failure, angina pectoris (even if medically controlled), uncontrolled hypertension, arrhythmias, elevated CPK or recent EKG changes At least one year since myocardial infarction Neurologic: No history of neurologic or psychiatric disorders (e.g., dementia, seizures) No concurrent peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 1 Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No active infection No active pancreatitis Amylase no greater than the upper limit of normal No other serious systemic disease