Estramustine, Docetaxel, and Carboplatin in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer That Has Not Responded to Hormone Therapy

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate Disease progression following androgen ablation therapy (hormonal or surgical) by either: Increase in the product of bidimensional diameters of 1 or more radiographically documented sites of measurable disease OR Two consecutive increases in PSA documented over a previous reference value First increase in PSA should occur a minimum of 1 week from the reference value and be confirmed First PSA value is less than the previous value, then patient is eligible provided next PSA is greater than the second PSA Testosterone levels documented in the castrate range (i.e., less than 30 ng/mL) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 to 85 Performance status: CALGB 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin normal SGOT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) if alkaline phosphatase normal OR Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 4 times ULN if SGOT normal OR SGOT no greater than 1.5 times ULN and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No myocardial infarction within past year No significant change in anginal pattern within past 6 months No New York Heart Association class II-IV heart disease No deep venous thrombosis within past year Other: No significant peripheral neuropathy PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: Prior chemotherapy allowed except taxanes or platinum derivatives Endocrine therapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior antiandrogens Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics