DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) with documented regimen failure on the control arm (standard chemotherapy alone) of PDL study 195-301 Regimen failure, defined as: Bone marrow blasts greater than 10% and rising (according to 2 sequential bone marrow samples obtained 1-2 weeks apart) OR Bone marrow blasts greater than 20% Must enroll within 2 weeks after documented regimen failure No active CNS leukemia

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 50-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: See Disease Characteristics Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL (unless related to Gilbert's disease or due to leukemic infiltration) SGOT and SGPT no greater than 4 times upper limit of normal (unless related to AML) Renal: Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL (unless related to AML) Cardiovascular: Left ventricular function normal No significant cardiovascular disease (e.g., unstable cardiac arrhythmias or unstable angina pectoris) No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease No active ischemia by EKG Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study No active serious infection not controlled by antimicrobial therapy No other active malignancy requiring therapy Medically stable No significant organ dysfunction

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior biologic therapy, including bone marrow transplantation, for AML after termination from PDL Study 195-301 No other concurrent biologic therapy for AML Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No additional chemotherapy for AML after termination from PDL Study 195-301 No concurrent chemotherapy for AML Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy for AML after termination from PDL Study 195-301 No concurrent radiotherapy for AML Surgery: Not specified Other: No other concurrent experimental therapy for AML