Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mm^3 obtained =< 21 days prior to registration Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,800 cells/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,800 cells/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mm^3 Within 60 days prior to registration on study: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1200/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/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 (ANC) >= 1,500 cells/mm^3; obtained within 14 days prior to study entry 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 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500 cells/mm^3 obtained within 30 days prior to registration Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 750 cells/mm^3 within 90 days prior to randomization Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1500 cells/mm^3 within 14 days prior to study registration Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500 cells/mm^3, within 21 days prior to registration Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 500 cells/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500 cells/m^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500 cells/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1500/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 500 cells/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 Within 6 weeks prior to randomization: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) must be >= 1200/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mm^3 Re-registration: ANC >= 1,500/mm^3 Within 14 days of registration: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) must be >= 1200/mm^3 within 28 days before randomization Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC): >= 1,500 /mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1500 mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 750/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,000 cells/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1,500 cells/mm^3