PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Children Performance status: Specified on the CCG 2961 AML treatment protocol Life expectancy: Specified on the CCG 2961 AML treatment protocol Hematopoietic: Specified on the CCG 2961 AML treatment protocol Hepatic: Specified on the CCG 2961 AML treatment protocol Renal: Specified on the CCG 2961 AML treatment protocol