Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Relapsed Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: First bone marrow relapse of primary acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), all subtypes except M3 OR First bone marrow relapse of secondary AML that occurred after other malignancies, but cured, or after alkylating agents and/or radiotherapy, or after myelodysplastic syndrome No previously untreated AML or second or subsequent relapse of AML No isolated extramedullar localization of AML Must have achieved a first complete remission No leukemias after other myeloproliferative diseases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 15 to 60 Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 1.5 times ULN AST no greater than 1.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No cardiac contraindications to anthracycline chemotherapy Ventricular ejection fraction at least 45% Other: No uncontrolled infection No concurrent severe neurological or psychiatric disease No other progressive malignant nonhematological disease PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior allogeneic or autologous bone marrow or peripheral stem cell transplant Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Surgery: Not specified