PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 50-100% Life expectancy: At least 8 weeks Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 3 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine clearance at least 40 mL/min Pulmonary: Pulse oximetry greater than 88% in patients with a history of pulmonary disease Other: No major concurrent disease that renders patient a poor medical risk No uncontrolled infection Disease related fever allowed at investigator's discretion No mental incapacity that precludes informed consent No incarcerated patients Not pregnant Effective contraception required of fertile women