DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of previously untreated B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

  • More than 25% L1 or L2 lymphoblasts
  • No more than 25% L3 lymphoblasts
  • WBC < 50,000/mm^3
• No T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia by immunophenotyping
• Massive lymphadenopathy, massive splenomegaly, or large mediastinal mass allowed
• CNS or testicular leukemia allowed
• No patients found to have t(8;14)(q24;q32), t(8;22)(q24;q11), and t(2;8)(p11-p12;q24) (characteristic of Burkitt's lymphoma)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 1 to 9

Performance status:

• Not specified

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• See Disease Characteristics

Hepatic:

• Not specified

Renal:

• Not specified

Other:

• Not pregnant
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• No more than 72 hours since prior intrathecal cytarabine

Endocrine therapy:

• At least 30 days since prior systemic corticosteroids given for more than 48 hours
• Prior corticosteroids for mediastinal mass causing superior mediastinal syndrome allowed
• Prior or concurrent inhaled corticosteroids allowed

Radiotherapy:

• Prior radiotherapy for mediastinal mass causing superior mediastinal syndrome allowed
• No concurrent spinal radiotherapy

Surgery:

• Not specified