OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the pathologic complete response rate to docetaxel in patients with high risk stage II or III prostate cancer. II. Determine the toxicity of this treatment in these patients. III. Correlate clinical measures of response (e.g., symptoms, physical exam, serum PSA, and endorectal MRI) with pathologic response to this treatment in these patients.

OUTLINE: Patients receive docetaxel IV over 30 minutes weekly for 4 weeks. Treatment continues for 2-6 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 19-45 patients will be accrued for this study over 18 months.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate Potential candidate for radical prostatectomy Any of the following: Clinical stage T3 patients Serum PSA at least 20 ng/mL Gleason score 8-10 Clinical T2 disease and either of the following: MRI evidence of seminal vesicle involvement Gleason 4+3 cancer with either 5 or 6 biopsies positive

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 to 85 Performance status: CALGB 0-1 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC greater than 3,000/mm3 Hematocrit greater than 30% Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: SGOT and bilirubin normal Renal: Not specified Other: No active infection Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for prostate cancer Endocrine therapy: No prior hormonal therapy for prostate cancer Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy for prostate cancer Surgery: See Disease Characteristics No prior surgery for prostate cancer