OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the effects of priming on the granulocyte and thrombocyte nadirs produced by high dose cyclophosphamide and carboplatin in patients with advanced malignancies. II. Determine the effects of amifostine on the granulocyte and thrombocyte nadirs produced by this same regimen when administered with sargramostim primed progenitor cells. III. Determine the maximum tolerated dose of cyclophosphamide and carboplatin that can be administered with sargramostim primed progenitor cells.