OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the overall survival in patients with unresectable stage III or IV pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with gemcitabine, cisplatin, and fluorouracil. II. Determine the resectability rate with curative intent in patients with unresectable stage III pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with this regimen. III. Assess the tolerability and toxicity of this treatment regimen in this patient population. IV. Evaluate this regimen in terms of response rate, response duration, and overall time to disease progression in these patients. V. Evaluate the quality of life in these patients.