DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed technically resectable metastatic colorectal cancer that is high risk for relapse Must meet one of the following criteria: Metastatic colorectal cancer confined to liver plus portal lymph nodes Recurrent metastatic colorectal cancer confined to liver after first hepatic resection Metastatic colorectal cancer confined to lung plus liver Metastatic colorectal cancer confined to liver with MSKCC risk factor score greater than 4 Metastatic colorectal cancer confined to lung, with either greater than 1 nodule and/or less than 3 years disease free survival Metastatic colorectal cancer confined to ovary Metastatic colorectal cancer confined to a single intraabdominal lymph node Must have failed fluorouracil-based chemotherapy for metastatic disease, received fluorouracil-based chemotherapy in adjuvant setting, have tumor with measured thymidylate synthase level greater than 4.0, or have lung metastases