Doxercalciferol in Treating Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome or Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Morphologically and cytogenetically confirmed myelodysplastic syndromes or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia No more than 20% blasts by bone marrow biopsy Must meet at least 1 of the following criteria: Anemia Hemoglobin less than 11 g/dL over a 2-month period Thrombocytopenia Neutropenia PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic See Disease Characteristics Hepatic ALT and AST less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal Bilirubin less than 3 mg/dL Albumin greater than 3.0 g/dL Renal Creatinine clearance greater than 50 mL/min No history of hypercalcemia No renal stones within the past 5 years Cardiovascular No clinically significant heart failure No uncontrolled hypertension Pulmonary No clinically significant pulmonary failure Other Not pregnant Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy At least 4 weeks since prior growth factor or cytokine therapy Chemotherapy At least 8 weeks since prior cytotoxic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy Not specified Surgery Not specified Other Concurrent transfusion support allowed