OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the effect of weekly doxorubicin on the quality of life of patients with metastatic, hormone-refractory, symptomatic prostate cancer. II. Determine the contribution of this treatment on control of pain in these patients. III. Determine the toxicity of this regimen in these patients. IV. Determine the objective response and biological observations in these patients after this treatment. V. Determine the effect of this regimen on survival of these patients.