OUTLINE: Patients are stratified according to prior antiandrogen therapy (yes vs no). Patients with prior antiandrogen therapy begin study therapy after appropriate antiandrogen withdrawal, while those without such prior therapy begin study therapy immediately. Patients undergo medical adrenalectomy using hydrocortisone combined with aminoglutethimide OR ketoconazole. Oral hydrocortisone is administered twice daily. Oral aminoglutethimide is administered twice daily for 1 week and then 4 times daily during subsequent weeks. Oral ketoconazole is administered three times daily. Combination treatment continues in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.