DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven hepatocellular carcinoma OR Elevation of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) (greater than 400 ng/mL) in the presence of a space occupying lesion in the liver with known chronic liver disease Lesion must be easily biopsied Unresectable disease Bidimensionally measurable disease by radiography OR Evaluable disease with elevated AFP Okuda stage I disease Tumor size less than 50% of liver No ascites Albumin greater than 3 g/dL Bilirubin less than 2 mg/dL OR Okuda stage II disease Bilirubin as in stage I If ascites present, albumin must be greater than 3 g/dL