PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL SGOT less than 5 times upper normal limit Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No poorly controlled atrial arrhythmias, angina pectoris, or myocardial infarction within past 6 months No symptomatic congestive heart failure, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, or coronary artery bypass graft within past 3 months Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No known active retroviral disease