PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (at least 6 weeks since prior nitrosoureas or mitomycin) Prior exposure to etoposide, cisplatin, or carmustine allowed if cumulative dose of chloroethylnitrosourea (carmustine or lomustine) no greater than 400 mg/m2 Prior doxorubicin or daunorubicin dose of 450 mg/m2 or more allowed if LVEF at least 50% No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Concurrent corticosteroids for hypercalcemia allowed Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior whole-pelvic radiotherapy Other prior radiotherapy allowed Surgery: Not specified Other: No concurrent nitroglycerin preparations for angina pectoris No concurrent antiarrhythmic drugs for major ventricular arrhythmias