Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) manifested
by all of the following: Threshold peripheral lymphocyte count greater than 5000/mm3 Small
to moderate peripheral lymphocytes with no greater than 55% prolymphocytes Peripheral
lymphocyte count less than 15,000/mm3 At least 30% lymphoid cells in bone marrow
Monoclonality of B lymphocytes Active disease by at least one of the following criteria:
Weight loss of at least 10% within the past 6 months or prolonged fever or night sweats
without evidence of infection Progressive marrow failure (stage III or IV disease)
manifested by Hemoglobin less than 11 g/dL (anemia) AND/OR Platelet count less than
100,000/mm3 (thrombocytopenia) Autoimmune anemia and/or thrombocytopenia minimally
responsive to corticosteroid therapy Massive or progressive splenomegaly Massive or
progressive lymphadenopathy Progressive lymphocytosis (not due to the effects of
corticosteroids) Marked hypogammaglobulinemia or development of monoclonal protein in the
absence of any of the above criteria is not sufficient for eligibility

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy:
Not specified Hematopoietic: See Disease Characteristics Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater
than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT no greater than 1.5 times ULN (unless due
to hemolysis or CLL) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No
New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease No myocardial infarction in the
past month Other: No uncontrolled infection No active infection with HIV (AIDS) No other
malignancy within past 2 years except nonmelanomatous skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of
the cervix Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Prior interferon allowed Chemotherapy: No
prior cytotoxic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: See Disease Characteristics Prior
corticosteroids, somatostatin analogues, and tamoxifen allowed Radiotherapy: At least 4
weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery