Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically and biochemically confirmed recurrent or progressing multiple myeloma
that is unlikely to respond to existing therapy, including surgery, radiotherapy, and
chemotherapy

- At least one standard first line therapy failure

- No localized plasmacytoma or plasmacytosis limited to the bone marrow

- Evidence of tumor by MRI or CT scan

- Presence of myeloma proteins in serum and urine, including Bence-Jones proteins

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

- At least 2 months

Hematopoietic:

- WBC at least 2,000/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 50,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL

- SGOT and SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal

- No hepatic insufficiency

Renal:

- Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL

- No renal problems

- No renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Cardiovascular:

- No chronic heart failure

- No uncontrolled hypertension

- No history of congestive heart failure

- No other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Pulmonary:

- No severe lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Other:

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study

- No serious medical or psychiatric disorders

- No active infections

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered

- No concurrent immunomodulating agents

Chemotherapy:

- At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered

- No concurrent antineoplastic agents

Endocrine therapy:

- Concurrent corticosteroids allowed

Radiotherapy:

- At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered (patients with multiple
tumors who have received radiotherapy to some, but not all, tumors may be admitted
earlier than 8 weeks)

Surgery:

- Must be recovered from prior surgery

Other:

- Prior cytodifferentiating agent allowed

- No prior antineoplaston therapy