Chemotherapy in Treating Children With Recurrent Acute Myeloid Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * One of the following diagnoses: * Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (FAB M0-M7) * Secondary AML in first relapse (Secondary AML stratum closed as of 04/02/02) * AML in primary induction failure (Refractory AML stratum closed as of 04/03/01) * Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) (not related to Down syndrome) (MDS stratum closed as of 04/03/01) * Extramedullary disease allowed * Relapse more than 6 months after allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation allowed PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * Under 21 at diagnosis Performance status: * Karnofsky 50-100% (over 10 years) * Lansky 50-100% (10 years and under) Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Not specified Hepatic: * Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL * ALT less than 3 times normal Renal: * Creatinine less than 2 times normal Cardiovascular: * Shortening fraction greater than 29% * Ejection fraction greater than 55% with normal wall motion Other: * No uncontrolled infection * Not pregnant or nursing PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * See Disease Characteristics Chemotherapy: * At least 12 weeks since prior idarubicin and recovered * At least 2 weeks since other prior chemotherapy and recovered Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * Not specified Surgery: * Not specified