PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior interleukin-3, milodistim, SC-55494, SC-68420, or leridistim No prior peripheral blood stem cell or bone marrow transplantation No concurrent epoetin alfa or interleukin-11 Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy Surgery: At least 2 weeks since prior surgery (except catheter placement or biopsy) Other: At least 3 weeks since prior investigational drug No other concurrent investigational drug