Inclusion Criteria:

- more than one synchronous primary colon tumor

- white blood cell (WBC) > 4000/cu.mm. and platelet count greater than or equal to
100,000/cu.mm.

- evidence of adequate renal (serum creatinine less than or equal to 1.5 mg%) and
hepatic function (bilirubin less than or equal to 1.5 mg%; serum glutamic oxaloacetic
transaminase (SGOT) less than or equal to 60 I.U./ml)

- performance status of 0, 1 or 2

- Patients with intestinal obstruction are eligible. Preliminary or complementary
colostomy does not preclude entry of a patient provided randomization is carried out
prior to the planned curative resection.

- The distal margin of the tumor must be greater than or equal to 12 cm from the anal
verge as endoscopically measured with the patient in the knee-chest position.

- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) must be performed pre-operatively but results need not
be known at the time of randomization.

Exclusion criteria:

- malignant colon tumors other than carcinoma, i.e., sarcoma, lymphoma, etc.

- patients whose tumors demonstrate free perforation

- previous or concomitant malignancy, regardless of site - except patients with
squamous or basal cell carcinoma of the skin, and carcinoma in situ of the cervix
which have been adequately treated

- patients who have received prior treatment other than preliminary or complementary
colostomy (radiation, chemotherapy or surgery) for their current malignancy.

- patients having tumors within 12 cm of the anal verge

- performance status of 3 or 4

- patients having non-malignant systemic disease (cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, etc.)
which would preclude their being subject to the chemotherapy treatment option

- patients who are pregnant at the time of randomization

- patients with psychiatric or addictive disorders which would preclude obtaining
informed consent

- patients who have multiple primary tumors involving both the colon and the rectum
which would preclude them from being classified as having only colon cancer or only
rectal cancer