OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the immunological response to doxorubicin and protracted recombinant interleukin-2 in terms of alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma specific cytotoxic T cells detectable in peripheral blood in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. II. Determine the toxicity of this treatment regimen in this patient population. III. Determine the tumor response to this regimen in terms of changes in alpha fetoprotein and tumor size measured by CT scan in these patients. IV. Determine the progression free survival and overall survival of this patient population treated with this regimen. V. Determine the correlation between immunological response, tumor response, progression free survival and overall survival in these patients.