Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed multiple myeloma as evidenced by one of the following:

- Biopsy of an osteolytic lesion or soft tissue tumor composed of plasma cells

- Bone marrow aspirate and/or biopsy demonstrating at least 10% plasmacytosis

- Bone marrow less than 10% plasma cells with at least 1 bony lesion and meets the
M-protein criteria as below

- Detectable serum M-component of IgG, IgA, IgD, or IgE at initial diagnosis OR

- Urinary excretion of light chain (Bence Jones) protein at least 1.0 gm/24 hrs if only
light chain disease (urine M-protein) was present at initial diagnosis

- Previously treated with autologous stem cell transplantation after high-dose
melphalan (200 mg/m^2) within the past 60-100 days

- Received transplantation within 1 year of the beginning of initial chemotherapy
for multiple myeloma

- No evidence of disease progression

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

- 16 and over

Performance status

- ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy

- At least 6 months

Hematopoietic

- No prior hereditary hypercoaguable disorder

- Granulocyte count at least 1,000/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 75,000/mm^3

Hepatic

- Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- AST and/or ALT no greater than 2 times ULN

- Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times ULN

Renal

- Creatinine no greater than 3 times ULN

Cardiovascular

- No prior spontaneous deep vein thrombosis within the past 5 years

- Catheter-associated thrombus allowed

- No uncontrolled hypertension

Pulmonary

- No prior pulmonary embolism within the past 5 years

Other

- No other prior or concurrent malignancy except adequately treated squamous cell or
basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix or any cancer treated more
than 5 years prior to study entry and presumed cured

- No prior gastric ulceration or bleeding within the past 5 years

- No prior documented lupus anti-coagulant or anti-phospholipid antibody

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile female patients must use 2 effective methods of contraception for 1 month
prior, during, and 1 month after study participation

- Male patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for 1 month after
study participation

- No avascular necrosis of the hips or shoulders

- No grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy causing symptomatic dysfunction
(vincristine-induced sensory symptoms allowed)

- No diabetes with end-organ damage defined as:

- Documented diabetic neuropathy

- Retinal vascular proliferation requiring treatment

- Cardiovascular disease requiring active therapy

- Willing to complete quality of life questionnaires

- Employment does not prohibit the use of sedatives

- No other major medical illness or condition that would preclude study participation

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

- See Disease Characteristics

- No prior double autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

- No prior thalidomide

Chemotherapy

- See Disease Characteristics

Endocrine therapy

- Not specified

Radiotherapy

- Not specified

Surgery

- Not specified

Other

- No other concurrent anti-cancer therapy

- No other concurrent investigational therapy