Combination Chemotherapy Followed by Surgery in Treating Patients With Localized Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate High-risk, as defined by 1 of the following: Stage T2b (palpable bilateral involvement) or surgically resectable T3 PSA 15 ng/mL or greater Gleason grade greater than 4+3 (4+3, 4+4, or 5+any, but not 3+4) At least a 50% chance of prostate cancer recurrence within 5 years Planned prostatectomy as primary therapy No evidence of bone metastases by bone scan No evidence of lymph nodes greater than 2 cm on pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan (scan required only if PSA greater than 40 ng/mL) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group(ECOG) 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 10 years Hematopoietic: White Blood Cell(WBC) at least 3,000/mm^3 Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Conjugated bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 4 times ULN Alanine transaminase(ALT) no greater than 2 times ULN (1.5 times ULN if alkaline phosphatase greater than 2.5 times ULN) Renal: Not specified Cardiovascular: Ejection fraction greater than 50% by Multiple Gated Acquisition(MUGA)scan Other: No other malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer No significant active medical illness that would preclude study therapy No peripheral neuropathy grade 2 or greater No hypersensitivity to drugs formulated with polysorbate-80 No significant contraindications to corticosteroids PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy No other concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No prior or concurrent conventional hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: No prior or concurrent radiotherapy (external beam or brachytherapy) Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Other: No prior or concurrent cryotherapy