OUTLINE: All patients receive octreotide subcutaneously three times daily for 1 month. After two courses of treatment, patients are assessed for response. Patients experiencing partial or complete response continue octreotide for a maximum of 1 year (12 courses) in the absence of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Patients with stable disease after 2 courses of octreotide receive daily oral prednisone in addition to octreotide for an additional 2 courses. These patients are then reevaluated and continue on octreotide plus prednisone for a maximum of 1 year in the absence of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Patients are followed every 3 months for 1 year, every 4 months for the second year, every 6 months for the next 3 years, and then annually thereafter.