PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 to 75 Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Prothrombin time less than 1.5 times normal Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.25 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (no greater than 2.5 times ULN if due to liver metastases) AST or ALT less than 3 times ULN (no greater than 5 times ULN if due to liver metastases) Renal: Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No uncontrolled cardiac disease, sign of cardiac failure, or rhythm disturbances requiring medication No myocardial infarction in the past 3 months Neurological: No preexisting motor or sensory neurotoxicity of grade 2 or greater Other: No active uncontrolled infection Not a poor medical risk due to nonmalignant disease No secondary primary malignancy in the past 5 years (excluding melanoma, breast cancer, and hypernephroma) except carcinoma in situ of the cervix or adequately treated basal cell carcinoma of the skin No psychological condition that might hamper compliance in this study Not pregnant Effective contraception required of all fertile patients during and for 3 months after study