OUTLINE: This is an open label, multicenter study. Patients receive idarubicin IV over 1 hour on days 1-3. Fludarabine IV is administered over 30 minutes on days 1-5. Cytarabine IV is administered over 4 hours on days 1-5. If partial response is obtained, patients receive a second course of treatment. Patients receive a consolidation course in the absence of disease progression and unacceptable toxicity. Idarubicin IV is administered over 1 hour on days 1 and 2. Fludarabine IV is administered over 30 minutes, followed by cytarabine IV over 4 hours on days 1-5. Patients are followed every 3 months for 2 years or until death.