DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia

  • Intermediate- or high-risk (stage I-IV) disease

• Intermediate-risk patients must have active disease, defined by at least 1 of the following criteria:

  • Presence of any 1 of the following disease-related B symptoms:

    • 10% or more loss of body weight within the past 6 months
    • Extreme fatigue
    • Fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit without evidence of infection
    • Night sweats
  • Massive (greater than 6 cm below left costal margin) or progressive splenomegaly
  • Massive (greater than 10 cm in longest diameter) or progressive lymphadenopathy
  • Progressive lymphocytosis with an increase of more than 50% over a 2-month period or anticipated doubling time of less than 12 months
  • Progressive bone marrow failure as manifested by the development or worsening of anemia and/or thrombocytopenia
  • Autoimmune anemia and/or thrombocytopenia poorly responsive to corticosteroids
• Failed 1-2 prior front-line regimens
• Failed prior fludarabine
• Ineligible for any known treatment of higher potential efficacy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• Zubrod 0-2

Life expectancy:

• At least 12 weeks

Hematopoietic:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 50,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL
• Transaminases less than 2.5 times normal

Renal:

• Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL OR
• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min

Cardiovascular:

• No history of severe coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, uncontrolled congestive heart failure, or arrhythmias

Neurologic:

• No prior drug-related neurotoxicity
• No other neurologic disorder

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective barrier or non-hormonal contraception during and for 2 months after study participation
• No HIV infection
• No AIDS

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• No prior bone marrow transplantation

Chemotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (8 weeks for mitomycin or nitrosoureas) and recovered

Endocrine therapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No concurrent steroids
• No concurrent hormonal contraceptives

Radiotherapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

• Not specified

Other:

• No other concurrent therapy