PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: CALGB 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Other: Not pregnant or nursing Medically cleared for surgery No active medical or psychiatric disease that would prevent compliance