DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed incurable solid tumor (per 3/29/00 notification, only patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma are being accrued) No known standard therapy for the disease that is potentially curative or definitely capable of extending life expectancy No CNS metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Greater than 12 weeks Hematopoietic: WBC greater than 3,500/mm3 Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3 PT/PTT no greater than 1.1 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 ULN AST less than 3 times ULN Renal: Creatinine less than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: Cardiogram must be performed within 1 month of protocol registration No class III/IV heart disease Ejection fraction of at least 45% by MUGA or Echo Other: HIV negative No recent weight loss of greater than 10% of average body weight Oral intake of at least 1,200 calories/day No uncontrolled infection Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No serious concurrent illness such as seizure disorder, uncontrolled hypertension, or myelodysplastic syndrome

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosourea or mitomycin) No prior doxorubicin of a total dose greater than 360 mg/m2 Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 3 weeks since prior radiation therapy with depsipeptide No prior radiation to greater than 25% of bone marrow Surgery: At least 21 days since prior major surgery