DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Previously untreated adenocarcinoma of the prostate T1b-c or T2a-b with a Gleason score more than 5 and PSA greater than 4 ng/mL OR Any T3 PSA under 70 ng/mL within 3 weeks prior to entry and at least 10 days after prostate biopsy No biopsy proven regional nodal involvement No distant metastases