DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically proven stage II or III pancreatic adenocarcinoma Ductal adenocarcinoma Mucinous noncystic carcinoma Signet ring cell carcinoma Adenosquamous carcinoma Undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinoma Mixed ductal-endocrine carcinoma Well differentiated adenocarcinoma Moderately well or poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma Undifferentiated ductal carcinoma Must have unresectable and localized disease Measurable or evaluable disease