DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed primary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder within the past 6 weeks

  • Exhibits histological evidence of muscularis propria invasion

• Clinical stage T2-T4a, NX or N0, M0 disease

  • TCC involvement of the prostatic urethra allowed provided it was visibly completely resected AND there is no evidence of stromal invasion of the prostate

  • No histologically or cytologically confirmed lymph node metastases

    • Radiologic evidence of lymph node positivity allowed provided the lymph node is further evaluated by lymphadenectomy or percutaneous needle biopsy AND confirmed to be negative
  • No evidence of distant metastases

• Operable disease

  • Has undergone transurethral resection of the bladder tumor within the past 8 weeks
  • Judged to be a candidate for radical cystectomy
• Adequately functioning bladder after thorough evaluation by an urologist
• No tumor-related hydronephrosis

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Zubrod performance status 0-1
• WBC ≥ 4,000/mm^3
• ANC ≥ 1,800/mm^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3
• Hemoglobin ≥ 10.0 g/dL (transfusion or other intervention allowed)
• Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min
• Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL (serum creatinine ≤ 1.8 mg/dL allowed provided creatinine clearance is > 60 mL/min)
• Serum bilirubin ≤ 2.0 mg/dL
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• Able to tolerate systemic chemotherapy combined with pelvic radiotherapy and a radical cystectomy as determined by the urologist, radiation oncologist, and medical oncologist
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except for nonmelanoma skin cancer, stage T1a prostate cancer, or carcinoma in situ of the cervix

• No severe, active co-morbidities, including any of the following:

  • Unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization within the past 6 months
  • Transmural myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
  • Acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring IV antibiotics
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation or other respiratory illness that requires hospitalization or precludes study therapy
  • Hepatic insufficiency resulting in clinical jaundice and/or coagulation defects
  • AIDS
• No prior allergic reaction to any of the study drugs

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior pelvic radiotherapy
• No prior systemic chemotherapy for any cancer
• No concurrent drugs that have potential nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity (e.g., aminoglycosides)
• No concurrent intensity-modulated radiotherapy