PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) AST no greater than ULN (less than 2.5 times ULN if alkaline phosphatase no greater than ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than ULN (4 times ULN if AST no greater than ULN) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease Neurologic: No grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy of any etiology No uncontrolled seizure disorder Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception Ability to complete questionnaires alone or with assistance No uncontrolled infection No chronic debilitating disease No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or other noninvasive carcinoma