OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the efficacy of MCE (mitoxantrone/cytarabine/etoposide) followed by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to mobilize peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). II. Evaluate the toxicity of this regimen. III. Evaluate the cytoreductive effects of this regimen in CML as determined by the ability to mobilize Philadelphia chromosome-negative PBSC. IV. Assess the time of peak CD34+ and CD34+/CD38- cell concentrations in the peripheral blood of patients treated with this regimen.

OUTLINE: The following acronyms are used: ARA-C Cytarabine, NSC-63878 DHAD Mitoxantrone, NSC-301739 G-CSF Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (source not specified) HU Hydroxyurea, NSC-32065 MCE DHAD/ARA-C/VP-16 VP-16 Etoposide, NSC-141540 Single-Agent Cytoreduction followed by 3-Drug Combination Chemotherapy/Stem Cell Mobilization. HU; followed by MCE; G-CSF.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: 30 patients will be entered over 3 years.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic or accelerated phase Ineligible for allograft protocols or no available HLA-matched sibling marrow donor No patients under age 55 who have consented to unrelated donor search unless: Search unsuccessful for 6 months and unlikely a donor will be found Transplant from an unrelated donor declined No history of CML blast crisis No grade III/IV myelofibrosis

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 17 to under 66 Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: No limitations from disease other than leukemia Other: No hepatic, renal, pulmonary, or cardiac dysfunction that would preclude transplant preparative regimen No HIV antibody No active infection

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: At least 1 month since interferon