PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior viral based gene therapy treatments or p53 directed vaccines No other prior gene therapy Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since chemotherapy No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: At least 4 weeks since surgery, including surgery for a perforated bowel, bowel anastamosis, colostomy, or ileostomy