PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy prior to prostatectomy allowed No concurrent hormonal therapy for recurrent prostate cancer Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy to the prostate No prior radiotherapy to the pelvis Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Other: No other concurrent investigational agents No concurrent commercial agents intended to treat the malignancy No concurrent immunosuppressive therapy