PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: No prior therapy with experimental agents for metastatic disease Biologic therapy: No prior immunotherapy for metastatic disease Chemotherapy: No prior estramustine or other chemotherapy for metastatic disease Endocrine therapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior hormonal therapy for metastatic disease No prior aminoglutethimide No prior ketoconazole No prior hydrocortisone or other corticosteroids Prior experimental hormonal therapy requires approval of study chair Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since radiotherapy (8 weeks since strontium therapy) Surgery: Orchiectomy allowed