506U78 in Treating Patients With Hematologic Cancer and Kidney or Liver Impairment

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed hematologic malignancy that has failed standard therapy or for which no standard therapy exists, including, but not limited to, the following: Acute lymphocytic leukemia Acute myelogenous leukemia Chronic lymphocytic leukemia Chronic myelogenous leukemia Multiple myeloma Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Hodgkin's disease No history of CNS disease, including carcinomatous meningitis PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: CTC 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Bilirubin: Groups 1-4: Less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Group 5: 1.5-4 times ULN Renal: Creatinine clearance: Groups 1 and 5: Greater than 50 mL/min Group 2: 30-50 mL/min Group 3: Less than 30 mL/min Group 4: Less than 30 mL/min, requiring dialysis Neurologic: No history of grade 2 peripheral neuropathy No history of seizure disorder No history of neurologic dysfunction Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception HIV negative PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy (e.g., interferon, monoclonal antibodies) No concurrent interleukin-11 for treatment or prevention of thrombocytopenia No concurrent prophylactic colony stimulating factors Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for melphalan, carmustine, or mitomycin) At least 72 hours since prior hydroxyurea No prior 506U78 No other concurrent chemothe…