DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• Received prior front-line therapy on a Pediatric Oncology Group (POG), Children's Cancer Group (CCG), or Central Oncology Group (COG) study OR
• Received induction therapy comprising vincristine, asparaginase, prednisone/dexamethasone, and daunorubicin as in CCG, POG, or COG protocols

• M1 or M2 bone marrow status after front-line induction therapy and presenting with at least 1 of the following:

  • Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) with t(9;22)(q34;q11) by cytogenetics or fluorescence in situ hybridization
  • bcr-abl fusion transcript by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
  • Hypodiploid with less than 44 chromosomes and/or DNA index less than 0.81
  • MLL translocation (11q23) by cytogenetics and a slow early response (SER) to induction therapy, defined as at least 5% blasts at day 15 of induction and/or at least .1% minimal residual disease (MRD) after induction therapy OR

• Failed to achieve remission after front-line induction therapy

  • M3 bone marrow status (greater than 25% blasts) after induction therapy OR
  • M2 bone marrow status (5-25% blasts) or at least 1% MRD after induction therapy and M2 or M3 or at least 1% MRD after consolidation therapy (CCG studies) or extended induction therapy (POG or COG studies)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 1 to 21

Performance status:

• Not specified

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• See Disease Characteristics

Hepatic:

• Not specified

Renal:

• Not specified

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics

Endocrine therapy:

• See Disease Characteristics

Radiotherapy:

• No concurrent prophylactic cranial radiotherapy

Surgery:

• Not specified