DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder with muscle invasion or lamina propria invasion (T1-4) Patients without muscle invasion (T1) must have concurrent carcinoma in situ (CIS)or recurrent/persistent tumor following at least 1 course of intravesical BCG immunotherapy OR Patients who have received BCG and have only CIS are eligible if lesions are sufficiently raised and measurable Bidimensionally measurable disease Unresectable locally advanced disease OR Asymptomatic distant visceral metastases OR Refused cystectomy Recurrent disease after prior chemotherapy OR Patients with muscle invasion must have failed prior cisplatin-based chemotherapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy: Greater than 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Other: Must have at least minimal control of bladder function (NCI grade 3 incontinence not eligible) Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception HIV negative No active viral, bacterial, or fungal infection requiring treatment No serious concurrent illness or psychological, familial, sociological, geographical, or other conditions that would prevent compliance Urine culture (14-day) negative for adenovirus

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior gene therapy Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for mitomycin or nitrosourea) and recovered Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 6 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: No prior transurethral resection if all visible tumor removed Partial resection for diagnosis allowed Other: No other concurrent investigational agents