Radiation Therapy and Docetaxel With Either Fluorouracil or Cisplatin as First-Line Therapy in Treating Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer That Cannot Be Removed By Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the pancreas No other pancreatic tumor type, including either of the following: Neuroendocrine tumor Ampulla of Vater carcinoma Metastatic disease Measurable or evaluable disease Unresectable disease, defined as either of the following: Failed prior attempt of surgical resection by laparotomy Surgical resection contraindicated by radiographic criteria (e.g., arterial vascular invasion) No cerebral metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 to 75 Performance status Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic Bilirubin < 1.5 times upper limit of normal No hepatic disturbance Renal Creatinine < 120 mmol/L Cardiovascular No untreated cardiac or coronary insufficiency No uncontrolled symptomatic arrhythmia No uncontrolled angina Pulmonary No uncontrolled respiratory insufficiency Other Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No other malignancy except basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2 No ongoing active infection No other serious uncontrolled medical disorder that would preclude study treatment PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to the celiac or pancreatic area Surgery See Disease Characteristics