PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent biologic therapy for pancreatic cancer Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer except for fluorouracil and/or gemcitabine administered as a radiosensitizer No other concurrent chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Prior radiotherapy allowed provided indicator lesions not within prior radiation port Recovered from toxicity No concurrent radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Other: No concurrent anticoagulation therapy with heparin No other concurrent approved or experimental cancer therapy