Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically proven recurrent superficial bladder cancer

- Intermediate prognosis as defined by the following:

- Recurrent, multiple Ta, T1 carcinoma

- Multiple (1-7) tumors

- Tumors resected previously must be histological grade G1 or G2 OR

- Previously treated superficial bladder cancer requiring followup cystoscopy

- Recurrent disease diagnosed at surgery

- No tumor invasion into muscle or carcinoma in situ

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- WHO 0-2

Life expectancy:

- Not specified

Hematopoietic:

- WBC at least 3,500/mm3

- Platelet count at least 150,000/mm3

Hepatic:

- No clinically significant hepatic disease

Renal:

- Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min

Other:

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study

- No history of adrenal insufficiency

- No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated cone-biopsied
carcinoma in situ of the cervix or nonmelanoma skin cancer

- No history of difficult catheterization

- No confusion or disorientation

- No other condition that would preclude study compliance

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- No concurrent biologic therapy

Chemotherapy:

- No concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

- No concurrent corticosteroids

Radiotherapy:

- No prior radiotherapy to the bladder

- No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 4 weeks since prior major thoracic or abdominal surgery

Other:

- Recovered from prior therapy and stable for 4 weeks

- At least 6 weeks since prior intravesicular therapy

- No prior or concurrent investigational drugs

- No concurrent anticoagulants