Fenretinide in Treating Patients With Refractory or Relapsed Hematologic Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of 1 of the following hematologic malignancies: * Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) * Hodgkin's lymphoma * Multiple myeloma * Acute lymphoblastic leukemia * Acute myeloid leukemia * Chronic hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis (e.g., failed 3 prior standard therapies), including any of the following: * Chronic lymphocytic leukemia * Chronic myelogenous leukemia * Indolent NHL * Myeloproliferative disorders * Refractory or relapsed disease, as defined by 1 of the following: * Resistant to standard therapy for refractory or relapsed disease * Progressed after standard therapy for advanced disease * No effective treatment exists * Measurable or evaluable disease * No active CNS disease * Previously treated leptomeningeal disease or brain metastases allowed provided there is no evidence of remaining cancer by positron-emission tomography, MRI, or spinal fluid cytology PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy * At least 3 months Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 (unless due to bone marrow involvement of disease) * Platelet count ≥ 75,000/mm\^3 (unless due to bone marrow involvement of disease) * Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dL (transfusion allowed) * No coagulation disorders Hepatic * AST and ALT \< 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (≤ 5 times ULN for patients with liver metastasis) * Bil…