DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) obtained by bone marrow aspirate or bone marrow biopsy No greater than 25% L3 blasts Initial white blood cell count less than 50,000/mm3 (performed at CCG institution) Massive lymphadenopathy, massive splenomegaly, and/or large mediastinal mass allowed CNS or testicular leukemia allowed Allogeneic bone marrow transplant should be considered (if donor available) for patients with Philadelphia chromosome (t[9;22][q34;q11]) or translocation (4;11)(q21;q23)