DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed nonmetastatic (stage D0 by Jewett classification system; stage IV by TNM classification system) adenocarcinoma of the prostate

  • Must be prostate-specific antigen (PSA) only androgen dependent
  • Failed definitive therapy (radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy with external beam or brachytherapy, or cryosurgery)
  • No metastatic prostate cancer on CT scan or bone scan

• Progressive disease defined as:

  • Two consecutively rising PSAs above the nadir post definitive therapy and greater than 1.0 ng/mL (at least 2 weeks apart)

• Eligible for late entry provided the following are true:

  • Must have received leuprolide or goserelin within the past 3 months
  • No metastasis by bone scan and CT scan

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

• More than 12 months

Hematopoietic:

• Granulocyte count at least 1,000/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 75,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 1 mg/dL (2.5 mg/dL for patients with Gilbert's syndrome)
• ALT and AST less than 2.5 times upper limit of normal

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL OR
• Creatinine clearance greater than 40 mL/min

Cardiovascular:

• No unstable angina pectoris
• No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
• No New York Heart Association class II-IV congestive heart failure

Pulmonary:

• No chronic obstructive lung disease requiring oxygen therapy

Neurologic:

• No peripheral neuropathy grade 2 or greater
• No uncontrolled seizure disorders within the past 10 years

Other:

• Patients must use a latex condom during and for 4 weeks after study participation
• Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception for 4 weeks before, during, and for 2 months after study participation
• No other malignancy within the past 2 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer, carcinoma in situ, or Rai stage 0 chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• No other life threatening illness
• No uncontrolled infection
• No psychiatric history of major depression, confirmed by psychiatrist

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• No prior systemic chemotherapy for prostate cancer
• At least 1 year since other prior cytotoxic chemotherapy
• No concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 1 year since prior leuprolide*, diethylstilbestrol, flutamide, bicalutamide, goserelin*, finasteride, or nilutamide unless received as adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy
• No other concurrent leuprolide, diethylstilbestrol, flutamide, bicalutamide, goserelin, finasteride, or nilutamide NOTE: *Does not include patients enrolled under late entry criteria who have received leuprolide/goserelin within the past 3 months

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior bilateral surgical orchiectomy

Other:

• At least 1 year since prior PC-SPES or sedative/hypnotics, unless received as adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy
• At least 1 week since prior IV antibiotics
• No concurrent PC-SPES
• No concurrent sedative or hypnotic agents (i.e., benzodiazepines)
• No concurrent anticonvulsants