PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count greater than 2,000/mm3 Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL Other: No pregnant or nursing women Negative pregnancy test required of fertile women Effective contraception required of fertile patients Blood/body fluid analyses within 7 days prior to registration Imaging/exams for tumor measurement within 28 days prior to registration