DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed stage II or III (T2-4a, Nx or N0, M0) primary carcinoma of the bladder with muscle invasion

* Resectable disease
* Prostatic urethral involvement with transitional cell carcinoma allowed, if completely resected and no evidence of stromal invasion
* No tumor-related hydronephrosis
* Positive lymph node must be evaluated by lymphadenectomy or percutaneous needle biopsy

* No nodal metastases
* No distant metastases
* No more than 6 weeks since prior transurethral resection of the bladder tumor

* Functioning bladder

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* Adult

Performance status:

* Zubrod 0-1

Life expectancy:

* Not specified

Hematopoietic:

* Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL
* White blood cell (WBC) count of at least 4,000/mm\^3
* Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,800/mm\^3
* Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3

Hepatic:

* Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL

Renal:

* Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
* Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min

Other:

* No other prior or concurrent malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated nonmelanoma skin cancer, stage I prostate cancer, or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
* Not pregnant
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* Medically operable

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* Not specified

Chemotherapy:

* No prior systemic chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

* Not specified

Radiotherapy:

* No prior pelvic radiotherapy

Surgery:

* See Disease Characteristics

Other:

* No concurrent potential nephrotoxic or ototoxic drugs (e.g., aminoglycosides)