PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: SWOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception Loss of no greater than 15% of actual body weight Oral intake of greater than 1,200 calories per day No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or any stage I or II cancer that is currently in complete remission