Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in Treating Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed T-cell large granular lymphocytic (T-LGL) leukemia associated with clinically significant hematocytopenia demonstrated by one of the following values while off growth factor support: * Absolute neutrophil count less than 1,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin less than 8 g/dL * Platelet count less than 50,000/mm\^3 * Clinically evaluable disease with peripheral blood T-LGL leukemia cells expressing the CD3+, CD8+ phenotype detectable by FACS * Monoclonal T-cell population in peripheral blood (circulating mononuclear cells) demonstrated by TCR beta or gamma chain gene rearrangement PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * Karnofsky 50-100% Life expectancy: * More than 2 months Hematopoietic: * See Disease Characteristics * No active major bleeding episode within the past 4 weeks Hepatic: * Direct bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: * Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL Other: * No concurrent serious active infection * Patients with fever without apparent site of infection may begin study while on antibiotics as long as the following are true: * No pathogenic organism in culture * Afebrile (maximum temperature less than 38°C) for at least 5 days * HIV negative * No other primary cancer other than basal cell skin cancer * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior interferon * Concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF), sa…