DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven resectable stage II or III adenocarcinoma of the colon Caudal margin of the primary tumor must lie above the peritoneal reflection Must have pathologic confirmation of either N1-3 (stage III), or if N0, must have T3-T4 (stage II) with bowel obstruction or perforation Obstruction documented as: At least 75% colon or small bowel obstruction on x-ray and/or endoscopy Significant bowel dilatation surgically documented Significant obstruction described in the pathology report Perforation documented by gross operative/pathologic evidence of a colon wall defect with associated abscess or peritonitis Complete en bloc resection by laparotomy required No laparoscopic colectomy without prior surgery on protocol SWOG-9411 No gross or microscopic residual disease No distant peritoneal metastases (stage IV) even if grossly resectable No requirement to open the pelvic peritoneum to define the extent of disease No extrapelvic nodal metastasis unless resected en bloc with the primary tumor No distant metastases No other diagnosis of stage II-III colon cancer within the past 5 years May have undergone complete surgical resection at least 5 years prior to study Completely resected prior or synchronous stage 0-I colon cancer eligible

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Adult Performance status: SWOG 0-2 Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Platelet count at least within the lower limit of normal Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST no greater than 2 times ULN Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN Other: No organic brain syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, or other altered mental status No second malignancy within 5 years except: Adequately treated nonmelanomatous skin cancer Adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Effective contraception required of fertile patients

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior fluorouracil or other chemotherapy for cancer No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior or concurrent radiotherapy for cancer Surgery: Complete en bloc resection required (see Disease Characteristics)