PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 6 weeks Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3 Hematocrit at least 25% Hepatic: SGOT and SGPT less than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Bilirubin less than 1.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine clearance greater than 50 mL/min Cardiovascular: No acute ischemia or new conduction system abnormalities by EKG No prior myocardial infarction within past 6 months No New York Heart Association class III or IV congestive heart failure Other: Febrile episodes up to 38.5 degrees C due to tumor fever allowed No concurrent active infection No grade 1 or greater National Cancer Institute common toxicity criteria No serious medical or psychiatric condition that would preclude study Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception