DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Definite myeloma requiring chemotherapy and fulfilling at least 2 of the following criteria: Neoplastic plasma cell infiltrate and/or microplasmacytomas on bone marrow aspiration and/or trephine Paraprotein in blood and/or urine Definite lytic bone lesions (not simply osteoporosis) No equivocal myeloma (such patients should be registered with the Clinical Trial Service Unit, Oxford)