PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 8 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,500 Platelet count greater than 100,000 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Other: No active infection No history of egg protein allergy No prior gastric or small intestine resection or clinical evidence of malabsorption No history of medical, neurologic, or psychiatric disorder No concomitant medical problem unrelated to the malignancy that precludes study compliance or increases treatment risk No pregnant women Adequate contraception required of fertile patients