DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed prostate cancer at high-risk for recurrence within the past 180 days as determined by 1 of the following combinations (risk groups):

  • Gleason score ≥ 9, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≤ 150 ng/mL, and any T stage
  • Gleason score 8, PSA < 20 ng/mL, and stage ≥ T2
  • Gleason score 8, PSA 20-150 ng/mL, and any T stage
  • Gleason score 7, PSA 20-150 ng/mL, and any T stage

• Clinically negative lymph nodes by imaging (pelvic CT scan or pelvic MRI), nodal sampling, or dissection within 90 days prior to study entry

  • Equivocal or questionable lymph nodes ≤ 1.5 cm by imaging allowed
  • Positive lymph nodes by capromab pendetide (ProstaScint^®) scan with a corresponding lymph node ≤ 1.5 cm by CT scan or MRI allowed

• PSA ≤ 150 ng/mL

  • Cannot have been obtained during any of the following time points:

    • 10-day period after prostate biopsy
    • After initiation of hormonal therapy
    • Within 30 days after discontinuation of finasteride
    • Within 90 days after discontinuation of dutasteride

• No distant metastases by physical exam and bone scan

  • Equivocal bone scan findings allowed if plain films are negative

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Zubrod performance status 0-1
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,800/mm^3
• Hemoglobin ≥ 8 g/dL (transfusion or other intervention allowed)
• ALT and AST ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN
• Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times ULN
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for at least 3 months after completion of study treatment
• No prior invasive malignancy, except nonmelanomatous skin cancer or other malignancy, unless disease-free for ≥ 3 years (e.g., carcinoma in situ of the oral cavity or bladder are allowed)
• No unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization within the past 6 months
• No transmural myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
• No acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring intravenous antibiotics
• No AIDS
• No prior allergic reaction to any study drugs or other drugs formulated with polysorbate 80
• No existing peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• At least 60 days since prior 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (e.g., finasteride) for prostatic hypertrophy
• At least 90 days since prior testosterone
• Prior pharmacologic androgen ablation for prostate cancer allowed provided androgen ablation was initiated no more than 50 days prior to study entry
• No prior radical prostatectomy, cryosurgery for prostate cancer, or bilateral orchiectomy

• No prior systemic chemotherapy for prostate cancer

  • Prior chemotherapy for a different cancer is allowed
• No prior radiotherapy, including brachytherapy, to the region of prostate cancer that would result in overlap of radiotherapy fields
• Intensity modulated radiotherapy allowed