PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 125,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No uncontrolled high blood pressure, unstable angina, active congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction within prior 6 months, or serious uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia Neurological: No concurrent symptomatic peripheral sensory neuropathy Other: No active or uncontrolled infection Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception