- Patients must be previously untreated with the exception of steroids and intrathecal chemotherapy; no other systemic chemotherapy may have been administered; patients receiving prior steroid therapy are eligible for study; any amount of steroid pretreatment will not affect initial induction assignment as long as the patient meets all other eligibility criteria; IT chemotherapy per protocol is allowed for patient convenience at the time of the diagnostic bone marrow or venous line placement to avoid second lumbar puncture; (note: the central nervous system [CNS] status must be determined based on a sample obtained prior to administration of any systemic or intrathecal chemotherapy, except for steroid pretreatment); systemic chemotherapy must begin within 72 hours of this IT therapy