PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: CALGB 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic and Renal: Albumin at least 2.5 g/dL Prothrombin time less than 1.6 For patients without prior pelvic radiotherapy: AST at least 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) OR Bilirubin 1.0 - 7.0 mg/dL with any AST OR Creatinine 1.6 - 5.0 mg/dL For patients with prior pelvic radiotherapy: AST less than 3 times ULN AND Bilirubin less than 1.0 mg/dL AND Creatinine less than 1.6 mg/dL Other: Not pregnant or nursing