PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: No prior sclerosing agents on the affected side No prior intrapleural therapy No change in systemic therapy for at least 2 weeks prior to randomization Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior systemic bleomycin Systemic chemotherapy allowed after pleurodesis Endocrine therapy: Hormone therapy allowed after pleurodesis Radiotherapy: No significant radiotherapy to affected hemithorax Irradiation of painful bone lesions allowed on the affected side if field does not include a significant portion of the pleura Surgery: See Disease Characteristics No prior thoracoscopic lysis of adhesions on the affected side