DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven B-cell malignancies (e.g., chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), or multiple myeloma (MM)) Specific requirements for each disease: CLL patients must have failed prior chemotherapy with fludarabine and an alkylating agent Aggressive NHL patients must have failed all other possible curative therapies MM patients must have had at least 1 prior chemotherapy regimen and not be eligible for dose intensification treatment approach No brain metastasis or leptomeningeal involvement No primary CNS NHL, HIV-associated lymphoma, or acute leukemia

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3 Hemoglobin greater than 8.5 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL AST and ALT no greater than 2 times normal No evidence of bleeding diathesis Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 40 mL/min Neurologic: No clinically apparent neuropathy (grade 2 or greater neuropathy) Other: HIV negative Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for carmustine and mitomycin) and recovered Prior vincristine allowed Endocrine therapy: No concurrent steroids Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior large-field radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified