Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Diagnosis of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia meeting 1 of the following criteria:

- Previously treated stage III or IV or earlier stage disease with evidence of
active disease, as defined by ≥ 1 of the following:

- Weight loss > 10% within the past 6 months

- Extreme fatigue

- Fever or night sweats without evidence of infection

- Worsening anemia or thrombocytopenia

- Progressive lymphocytosis with a rapid lymphocyte doubling time

- Marked hypogammaglobulinemia or paraproteinemia

- Lymphadenopathy > 5 cm in diameter

- Previously untreated stage 0-II disease with symptoms or significant fatigue or
at high risk of progression due to of B2 microglobulin > 3.0 mg/mL

- Patients who are ≥ 70 years of age with previously untreated stage III or IV or
earlier stage disease requiring treatment but who refused chemotherapy are
eligible

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Performance status

- Zubrod 0-2

Life expectancy

- Not specified

Hematopoietic

- See Disease Characteristics

Hepatic

- Bilirubin < 2.0 mg/dL* (elevated bilirubin allowed if due to of Gilbert's disease)
NOTE: *Liver dysfunction due to lymphocytic organ infiltration allowed

Renal

- Creatinine < 2.5 mg/dL* NOTE: *Renal dysfunction due to lymphocytic organ
infiltration allowed

Other

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- No active viral infection (e.g., viral hepatitis)

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Chemotherapy

- See Disease Characteristics