Decitabine and FR901228 in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, or Myeloproliferative Disorders

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed diagnosis of 1 of the following hematologic malignancies: * Acute myeloid leukemia * Previously untreated patients \> 60 years of age who are not eligible for front-line therapy are eligible for this study * Acute lymphoblastic leukemia * Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) * Documented hematologic resistance to imatinib mesylate OR no cytogenetic response after 12 months of prior treatment with imatinib mesylate * Philadelphia chromosome-negative CML allowed provided disease is resistant to standard therapy (e.g., hydroxyurea) OR disease progressed (blasts \> 5% and platelet count \< 100,000/mm\^3) during standard therapy * Myelodysplastic syndromes * International Prognostic Scoring System risk category ≥ intermediate-1 * Patients who are not eligible for front-line therapy are eligible for this study * Myeloproliferative disease * Chronic lymphocytic leukemia * Failed or progressed during ≥ 1 prior fludarabine-based therapy AND alemtuzmab * Acute promyelocytic leukemia * Progressed after prior treatment with standard chemotherapy, tretinoin, and arsenic trioxide * Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia * Resistant to standard therapy (e.g., hydroxyurea) OR disease progressed (blasts \> 5% and platelet count \< 100,000/mm\^3) during standard therapy * Relapsed or refractory disease * No known brain or meningeal disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * Over 18 Performance st…