Inclusion Criteria:

          -  Initial presentation with > 10% myeloid blasts in peripheral blood or marrow and,
             after at least one course of induction treatment, now with > 5% blasts in peripheral
             blood or marrow, as assessed by morphology or multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC).
             Outside diagnostic material is acceptable if reviewed here. Patients may never have
             achieved an initial complete remission (< 5% blasts in marrow, absolute neutrophil
             count > 1,000 per microliter, platelet count > 100,000 per microliter) or may have
             relapsed from such a remission. Note that although "AML" is formally denoted by > 20%
             blasts and other high-grade myeloid neoplasm by 10-20% blasts, these two entities
             often have similar prognoses and respond similarly to therapy, with trials at
             University of Washington (UW)/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) as well as MD
             Anderson and various European cooperative groups not distinguishing between AML and
             other high grade myeloid neoplasms

          -  Treatment related mortality (TRM) score < 13.1

          -  Bilirubin < 2.0 mg/dl unless abnormalities thought due to organ infiltration by AML as
             suggested for example by white blood cell (WBC) > 25,000 and rising rapidly

          -  Creatinine < 2.0 mg/dl unless abnormalities thought due to organ infiltration by AML
             as suggested for example by WBC > 25,000 and rising rapidly

          -  Left ventricular ejection fraction > 45% by multigated acquisition scan (MUGA) scan or
             echocardiography, performed within 6 months prior to consent

          -  Off any active therapy for AML other than hydroxyurea for at least 1 week prior to
             study registration unless patient has rapidly progressive disease with resolution of
             all grade 2-4 non-hematologic toxicities. Patients with symptoms/signs of
             hyperleukocytosis or WBC > 100,000 and in whom there is a delay in scheduling a MUGA
             scan or other logistical delays can receive two doses of cytarabine (500 mg/m^2 each,
             but dosing is ultimately based on physician discretion)

          -  Men and women of childbearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception

          -  Not pregnant or lactating

          -  Not receiving other investigational agents

          -  Provision of informed written consent on study-specific consent form