Combination Chemotherapy Before and After Surgery in Treating Patients With Stomach Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Microscopically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction Reviewed by Department of Pathology of participating institution Stage II-IV (T2, N1-2, M0 or T3-4, any N, M0) by physical exam, CT, and laparoscopy Potentially curable by surgery Suspected sites of metastasis proven M0 prior to entry PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Any age Performance status: Karnofsky 60%-100% Hematopoietic: WBC at least 4,000 Platelets at least 150,000 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 2 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance greater than 50 mL/min BUN no greater than 30 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No NYHA class III/IV status No active angina No myocardial infarction within 6 months No significant ventricular arrhythmia requiring medication No clinically significant conduction system abnormality Other: No serious intercurrent infection No nonmalignant medical illness that is uncontrolled or precludes study participation No psychiatric disorder that precludes informed consent No clinically significant auditory impairment No second malignancy within 5 years except: Basal cell skin cancer Carcinoma in situ of the cervix No pregnant or nursing women Negative pregnancy test required of fertile women Effective contraception required of fertile patients PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: No prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy