Inclusion Criteria:

- Histologically diagnosed intermediate risk (stage I or II) or high risk (stage III or
IV) refractory B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

- Intermediate risk group must have evidence of active disease as shown by at least one
of the following:

- Massive or progressive splenomegaly and/or lymphadenopathy

- Weight loss of greater than 10% in the last 6 months

- CALGB grade 2-4 fatigue

- Fevers greater than 100.5 degree Fahrenheit OR night sweats for greater than2
weeks without evidence of infection

- Progressive lymphocytosis with an increase greater than 50% over a 2 month
period or an anticipated doubling time of less than 6 months

- Refractory to fludarabine treatment OR relapsed within 6 months of fludarabine

- Lymphocytosis greater than 5000/mm3 at some time during disease

- Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- No more than 1 prior nonradiolabeled antibody treatment (e.g., Campath-1H or
rituximab)

- At least 1, but no more than 3, prior chemotherapy regimens

- At least 1 prior chemotherapy regimen comprising fludarabine

- No other concurrent chemotherapy

- No concurrent chronic use of oral corticosteroids

- No concurrent hormone therapy except for non-disease related conditions

- No concurrent dexamethasone or other corticosteroid-based antiemetics

- No concurrent palliative radiotherapy