PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: 0-1 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin normal AST no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease Other: No active infection At least 5 years since any other prior malignancy except curatively treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ, or other cancers No grade 2 or worse peripheral neuropathy No uncontrolled diabetes mellitus No other serious underlying disease Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception