OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the safety and side effects of intrapleurally administered PA-1-STK modified ovarian carcinoma vaccine and ganciclovir in patients with stage I, II, or III malignant mesothelioma. II. Determine the maximum tolerated dose and dose limiting toxicities of this vaccine in these patients. III. Determine the immunologic response to this treatment regimen in these patients. IV. Determine the intrapleural pharmakokinetics of ganciclovir in these patients.