S0010 506U78 in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) * FAB class L1-L2 * Non-T-cell ALL (lymphocytic immunophenotype markers CD19+, CD5-, and CD7- in peripheral blood, bone marrow, or in at least 1 extramedullary disease site) * Coexpression of myeloid antigens CD13 or CD33 allowed * Histologically confirmed extramedullary disease in the absence of bone marrow or blood involvement allowed * CD3 and myeloperoxidase marker negative * Meeting 1 of the following criteria for recurrent/refractory disease: * Refractory to standard induction regimen including at least vincristine and prednisone * Recurrence after response after prior induction therapy * Recurrence and failure on subsequent treatment * No CNS involvement * Must be registered on SWOG-S9910 and SWOG-9007 PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 16 and over Performance status: * Zubrod 0-3 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Not specified Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGOT or SGPT no greater than 3 times ULN Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No grade 2 or greater neuropathy * No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or any other adequately treated stage I or II cancer in complete remission PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * Not specified Surgery * Not specified