PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9.5 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 4 times upper limit of normal (ULN) PTT no greater than 1.5 times control (unless on anticoagulants) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No concurrent serious systemic disorders incompatible with study No active infection No second primary malignancy, previously untreated with curative intent or presently active, that would preclude curative resection of the pancreas