Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver
Unresectable disease Less than 50% invasion of the liver Measurable disease No prior
irradiation Largest diameter at least 20 mm No detectable extrahepatic disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Under 75 Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy:
Greater than 2 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 4,000/mm3 Neutrophil count at least
1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 35 micromoles/L
Renal: Creatinine less than 130 micromoles/L Cardiovascular: No severe cardiac
insufficiency Pulmonary: No respiratory disease that would preclude study Other: No other
serious illness that would preclude study No psychological illness that would preclude
study No peripheral neuropathy No prior malignancy not considered cured Not pregnant
Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior
intravenous oxaliplatin No more than 1 prior regimen of intravenous chemotherapy for
metastatic disease Primary chemotherapy of fluorouracil allowed if stable or progressive
disease No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent hormonal therapy
Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Surgery: See Disease Characteristics