Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder
No muscle invasive bladder cancer, transitional cell carcinoma of the upper tract, or
disease within the prostatic stroma No prior evidence of metastatic transitional cell
carcinoma Prior definitive resection by partial cystectomy, nephroureterectomy, or
prostatectomy allowed if current disease is limited to superficial disease of the bladder
only No evidence of gross hematuria within the past 2 days

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy:
Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified
Other: No other active malignancies or health conditions that would preclude study No
serious infection within 1 month of study No evidence of active tuberculosis No
significant medical or psychiatric condition that would prevent compliance Not pregnant or
nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior intravesical
interferon alfa and/or BCG At least 2 years since prior immunotherapy for other
malignancies or nonmalignancies Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior intravesical
chemotherapy At least 2 years since prior chemotherapy for other malignancies or
nonmalignancies No concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy for other malignancies or
nonmalignancies Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 2 years since
prior pelvic radiotherapy for other malignancies or nonmalignancies No concurrent pelvic
radiotherapy for other malignancies or nonmalignancies Surgery: See Disease
Characteristics At least 3 weeks since prior papillary or solid transitional cell
carcinoma resection, bladder biopsy, or transurethral resection of the prostate At least 4
weeks since prior surgery Other: At least 2 years since any prior cytotoxic agents for
other malignancies or nonmalignancies