OUTLINE: All patients undergo complete or near complete transurethral resection of the bladder tumor at entry or within 6 weeks prior to entry. Upon confirmation of staging and histology, patients receive combination chemotherapy with methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) every 21 days for 4 courses. Subcutaneous G-CSF is given with each course. Patients with a complete response after chemotherapy proceed to intravesical therapy or observation; those with a partial response, stable disease, or progression proceed to definitive surgery.