OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the response rate and duration of response to antiandrogen withdrawal alone vs. antiandrogen withdrawal plus ketoconazole/hydrocortisone in patients with advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer. II. Compare the response rate and duration of response to ketoconazole/hydrocortisone in patients treated with previous vs. simultaneous antiandrogen withdrawal. III. Evaluate the proportion of patients with circulating prostate cancer cells identified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR). IV. Determine whether rt-PCR positively correlates with response. V. Compare the likelihood of response to these regimens in patients whose prior hormonal therapy consisted of initial combined androgen blockage vs. initial monotherapy followed later by an antiandrogen. VI. Correlate adrenal androgen synthesis suppression, as measured by levels of various adrenal androgens, with response.