OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. Arm I: Patients receive methotrexate IV on days 1, 15, and 22; vinblastine IV on days 2, 15, and 22; and cisplatin IV over 2 hours and doxorubicin IV on day 2. Treatment repeats every 28 days for a total of 6 courses in the absence of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Arm II: Patients receive paclitaxel IV over 3 hours immediately followed by carboplatin IV over 30 minutes. Treatment repeats every 21 days for a total of 6 courses in the absence of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Quality of life is assessed before treatment, before courses 2 and 4, at 4 weeks after last course, and at 10 months. Patients are followed every 3 months for 1 year and then every 6 months until disease progression.