DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed unresectable primary, recurrent, or residual benign meningioma
• Measurable disease by CT scan or MRI
• Must have disease progression within the past 10 years OR progressive neurologic deficit within the past 6 months
• Must have undergone prior radiotherapy with subsequent disease progression OR refused radiotherapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• SWOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• WBC at least 4,000/mm^3
• Platelet count at least lower limit of normal

Hepatic:

• Not specified

Renal:

• Not specified

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or adequately treated stage I or II cancer in complete remission

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for meningioma
• Prior mifepristone allowed
• No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• Concurrent glucocorticoids and hormone replacement therapy allowed if stable dose maintained for at least 72 hours prior to CT scan or MRI
• No concurrent antitumor hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 6 months since prior radiotherapy
• No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

• Not specified