DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) Must have received autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation for AML within the past 28 to 100 days Evidence of marrow engraftment Absolute neutrophil count at least 500/mm3 for at least 2 consecutive days Platelet count at least 20,000/mm3 without transfusion support for more than 3 days Documented M1 or M2 bone marrow within the past 7 days