DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed unresectable metastatic or recurrent adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum No brain metastases unless previously treated, asymptomatic, on stable dose of decadron, and CT/MRI scan demonstrates no evidence of edema Phase I: Measurable or evaluable disease Phase II: Measurable disease Evidence of +1 bcl-2 expression on immunohistochemical staining in pathologic material