Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed unresectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

- No cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas or pancreatic tumors of neuroendocrine origin

- Prior subtotal resection or gross residual disease

- No microscopic residual disease only

- No metastatic disease outside of planned study radiotherapy field

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy:

- Not specified

Hematopoietic:

- Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- AST no greater than 3 times ULN

Renal:

- Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Other:

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- Able to maintain adequate oral nutrition

- No significant infection

- No other medical condition that would preclude study

- No other malignancy within the past 5 years except non-melanoma skin cancer

- No significant nausea or vomiting

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- No prior or concurrent biologic therapy

Chemotherapy:

- No prior chemotherapy

- No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

- Not specified

Radiotherapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

- No prior radiotherapy that would overlap planned study radiotherapy fields

Surgery:

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 21 days since prior laparotomy