PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin greater than 9 g/dL (transfusion allowed) Hepatic: AST and ALT no greater than 4 times upper limit of normal Bilirubin no greater than 2 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No myocardial infarction within the past year No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease No uncontrolled cardiac dysrhythmia No angina pectoris No uncontrolled hypertension No cardiomyopathy Neurologic: No prior neuropathy No preexisting neurotoxicity Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception