DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in the bone marrow, including any of the following subtypes: Refractory anemia (RA) (cytopenia) RA with ringed sideroblasts Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia RA with excess blasts (RAEB) RAEB in transformation Unclassified MDS Must have one of the following: Pretransfusion hemoglobin no greater than 10 g/dL Pretransfusion platelet count no greater than 50,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophil count less than 1,000/mm3 Patients who are ineligible for or refuse induction chemotherapy for RAEB in transformation are allowed (If candidate for and accept induction chemotherapy, must have failed at least 1 prior chemotherapy regimen)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: See Disease Characteristics Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times ULN AST no greater than 3 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use 2 methods of effective contraception 4 weeks before, during, and for 4 weeks after study (during study and for 4 weeks after study for males) No peripheral neuropathy by history or clinical exam No uncontrolled infection

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 30 days since prior growth factors (i.e., epoetin alfa, filgrastim (G-CSF), sargramostim (GM-CSF), or thrombopoietic agent) for MDS No concurrent growth factors Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 30 days since prior chemotherapy for MDS Endocrine therapy: At least 30 days since prior corticosteroids for MDS Concurrent chronic low-dose corticosteroids (less than 20 mg/day) for reasons other than MDS allowed Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: Not specified