Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,800 cells/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,800 cells/mm^3 The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) must be > 1000 mm^3 prior to starting every cycle of treatment with decitabine; decitabine may be delayed for up to 4 weeks between cycles (i.e. may be administered as infrequently as every (q) 8 weeks) while waiting for counts to recover Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,000 cells/mcL within 42 days prior to registration Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1200/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,200 cells/mm^3, within 21 days prior to study entry Within 14 days prior to registration: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,000 cells/mm^3 without growth factor support Absolute neutrophil count: >= 750/mm^3 STEP I: Absolute neutrophil count >= 1000 cells/mm^3 (obtained within 28 days prior to randomization) Obtained =< 7 days prior to registration: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1500/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,800 cells/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,000 cells/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 1,000/mm^3 Peripheral absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 750 cells/mm^3 within 90 days prior to randomization Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,200/mcL (subjects may be treated with hematopoietic growth factors to achieve or maintain this level) For patients with solid tumors without known bone marrow involvement: peripheral absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1500 cells/mm^3 within 14 days prior to study registration Absolute neutrophil count: >= 750/mm^3 within 90 days before enrollment Absolute neutrophil count >= 1,000/mm^3 For patients with solid tumors without known bone marrow involvement: peripheral absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 750/mcl within 28 days prior to registration Peripheral absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 750/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1500/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 1500 mm^3, must be obtained within 8 weeks prior to screening for protocol therapy ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR RANDOMIZATION (STEP 1): Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 1500 mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1500/mm^3 * Peripheral absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1000/mm^3 Within 6 weeks prior to randomization: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) must be >= 1200/mm^3 Peripheral absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,000/mcL; must be obtained within 28 days prior to registration CLINICAL/LABORATORY CRITERIA: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1500/mcL; these results must be obtained within 28 days prior to registration Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) must be >= 1200/mm^3 within 28 days before randomization Peripheral absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count >= 1500 cells/mm^3 Anti-cancer agents not known to be myelosuppressive (e.g. not associated with reduced platelet or absolute neutrophil count [ANC] counts): >= 7 days after the last dose of agent Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1500 mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 750/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,000 cells/mm^3