Radiofrequency Ablation Followed By Hepatic Artery Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Colorectal Cancer That Has Spread to the Liver

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver No preoperative or intraoperative evidence of extrahepatic metastasis including clinical, radiographic, gross or microscopic evidence Tumors must be no more than 4 cm in diameter No more than 6 total tumors May have failed prior systemic chemotherapy Failure of 1 prior intra-arterial regimen excluding floxuridine, fluorouracil, or another fluoropyrimidine allowed if liver enzymes recovered No evidence of cirrhosis No gross ascites PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 16 weeks Hematopoietic: Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Other: No active duodenal or gastric ulcers Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6-8 weeks since nitrosoureas or mitomycin) Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to the liver Surgery: Not specified