PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance Status: Zubrod 0-2 Karnofsky 60-100% ECOG 0-2 Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No New York Heart Association Class IV disease No antihypertensive medication within 24 hours of amifostine administration Other: Not pregnant or nursing Effective contraceptive method must be used during study No medical illness No psychosis Eligible patients with an HLA compatible donor are referred to bone marrow transplantation