RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin and doxorubicin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) may kill more tumor cells. Thalidomide may stop the growth of liver cancer by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Chemoembolization kills tumor cells by blocking the blood flow to the tumor and keeping chemotherapy drugs near the tumor. Giving combination chemotherapy, thalidomide, and chemoembolization before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed. Giving thalidomide together with chemotherapy after surgery may kill any remaining tumor cells and prevent the tumor from coming back.