PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Sex: Female Menopausal status: Not specified Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times normal Cardiovascular: LVEF at least 50% (baseline MUGA) No history of uncontrolled congestive heart failure At least 6 months since prior myocardial infarction No unstable angina No uncontrolled hypertension Neurologic: No peripheral neuropathy Other: Not pregnant or nursing No psychosis