DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of unresectable malignant primary or metastatic liver tumors Tumors are deemed unresectable based on the following factors: 1-10 liver tumors Bilobar liver tumors Location of 1 or more lesions near a major intrahepatic vascular structure (hepatic vein, portal vein, vena cava) Severe cirrhosis to preclude a major liver resection No unresectable extrahepatic disease Prior failure of other therapeutic modalities allowed No more than moderate ascites No hepatic encephalopathy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Any age Performance status: Zubrod 0-1 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: No severe liver dysfunction (Child's Class C) Bilirubin no greater than 3.0 mg/dL Albumin no greater than 3.0 mg/dL PT no greater than 50% above normal Renal: No renal dysfunction Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No altered mental status No active infection

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics