PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin normal SGOT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) No chronic hepatic disease (e.g., chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No history of myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No congestive heart failure Other: No other malignancy within the past 5 years except basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of any organ or other tumor associated with less than 10% probability of death from malignant disease within 5 years of diagnosis Adequate oral nutrition including estimated intake of at least 1,500 calories per day No severe anorexia or frequent nausea and/or vomiting Able to withstand a major operative procedure No neuropathy Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception