OBJECTIVES: I. Determine any toxicity associated with increasing single doses of monoclonal antibody F19 (BIBH-1) administered by intravenous infusion in patients with colorectal cancer scheduled for surgical resection. II. Compare the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and imaging characteristics of increasing intravenous doses of iodine I 131 BIBH-1 in this patient population. III. Compare the BIBH-1 related human antihuman antibody (HAHA) serum concentration with immunologic related clinical effects in these patients. IV. Compare the uptake of iodine I 131 BIBH-1 in tumor to the uptake of normal tissue when administered to these patients.