PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Menopausal status: Not specified Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: At least 4 months Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: ALT/AST no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal Bilirubin less than 2 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No other serious illness No active infections requiring antibiotics No bleeding disorders No other diseases that may potentially interfere with obtaining accurate study results