REGISTRATION #2 - PRIOR TO CONSOLIDATION CHEMOTHERAPY: Hemoglobin >= 9.0 g/dl Hemoglobin >= 9 g/dL within 28 days prior to registration Hemoglobin > 11.0 g/dL within 28 days prior to registration STEP I: Hemoglobin >= 8 g/dL (obtained within 28 days prior to randomization) Hemoglobin >= 8 g/dL (may be supported), within 14 days of registration and within 7 days of the start of treatment Hemoglobin >= 9.0 g/dL within 90 days prior to randomization Hemoglobin >= 9 g/dL obtained within 28 days prior to sub-study registration Hemoglobin >= 10.0 g/dL measured within 28 days prior to randomization Hemoglobin > 9 g/dL, obtained within 4 weeks prior to randomization Obtained within 28 days prior to registration: Hemoglobin >= 9 g/dL Within 6 weeks prior to randomization: Hemoglobin must be >= 10 g/dL Within 14 days of registration: Hemoglobin >= 10 g/dL Hemoglobin >= 9 g/dL within 21 days prior to registration Within 14 days prior to registration: Hemoglobin >= 9 g/dL CLINICAL/LABORATORY CRITERIA: Hemoglobin >= 9 grams/dl; these results must be obtained within 28 days prior to registration Hemoglobin greater than 9.0 mg/dl (transfusions are permitted to achieve baseline hemoglobin level), within 14 days prior to registration Hemoglobin must be >= 10 g/dL within 28 days before randomization Obtained within 28 days prior to registration: Hemoglobin >= 8 g/dL Within 28 days prior to registration: Hemoglobin >= 8 g/dL Within less than or equal to 14 days prior to registration: Hemoglobin >= 10 g/dL Hemoglobin >= 9 g/dL, obtained within 28 days prior to step 2 registration Hemoglobin >= 9 g/dL within 28 days prior to registration Hemoglobin >= 10.0 g/dL and no blood transfusions in the 28 days prior to entry/randomization Hemoglobin >= 8 g/dL within 28 days prior to registration