Clinical Research Directory

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically proven stage I-III multiple myeloma * Less than 18 months since diagnosis * Smoldering myeloma allowed if there is evidence of progressive disease requiring therapy * At least 25% increase in M protein levels or Bence Jones excretion * Hemoglobin no greater than 10.5 g/dL * Hypercalcemia * Frequent infections * Rise in serum creatinine above normal on 2 separate occasions * Nonquantifiable monoclonal proteins allowed if other criteria for multiple myeloma or smoldering myeloma are met * Response/status after induction therapy: * Responding or stable disease AND no greater than 40% myelomatous involvement of bone marrow * No Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 65 and under Performance status: * Karnofsky 80-100% Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * See Disease Characteristics * Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * Serum glutamic axaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) less than 2.5 times upper limit of normal * Hepatitis B antigen or hepatitis C ribonucleaic acid (RNA) negative Renal: * See Disease Characteristics * Creatinine no greater than 1.4 mg/dL * Creatinine clearance greater than 65 mL/min Cardiovascular: * Cardiac ejection fraction at least 50% by multigated acquisition scan (MUGA) or echocardiogram Pulmonary: * Forced-expiratory volume in one second (FEV\_1) greater than 60% of normal * Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) greater than 50% of predicted lower limit Other: * Not pregnant * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative * No other medical or psychosocial problems that would increase patient risk * No other malignancy within past 5 years except nonmelanomatous skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No known hypersensitivity to filgrastim (G-CSF) or Escherechi coli-derived proteins PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * No more than 3 prior chemotherapy regimens * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: * Not specified