DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: One of the following histologically documented hematologic malignancies: Acute myelogenous leukemia Failed or relapsed following conventional dose chemotherapy (e.g., doxorubicin, cytarabine) or high dose cytarabine (HD ARA-C) Chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis that has failed at least 1 conventional antileukemic regimen Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that is relapsed following or initially refractory to conventional therapy Failed at least 1 salvage regimen for ALL Disease refractory to conventional HD ARA-C allowed Primarily refractory or relapsed Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Failed at least 1 conventional second or third generation regimen (e.g., ProMACE-CytaBOM) Refractory multiple myeloma Not eligible for protocols of higher priority and no alternative forms of therapy available that offer a reasonable chance of palliation or cure