ONCONASE Plus Doxorubicin Versus Doxorubicin Alone For Patients With Malignant Pleural or Peritoneal Mesothelioma Who Have Had No More Than One Prior Chemotherapy Regimen

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed malignant pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma * Measurable or evaluable disease * CALGB groups 1-4 * No CNS metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 21 and over Performance status: * ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * WBC greater than 3,500/mm\^3 * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * SGOT no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal * Bilirubin no greater than 2 mg/dL * PT and PTT normal Renal: * Creatinine normal Cardiovascular: * No symptomatic New York Heart Association class II-IV cardiovascular disease * No congestive heart failure * No angina pectoris * No cardiac arrhythmias * No uncontrolled hypertension * No cerebrovascular disease Metabolic: * No serum calcium, phosphate, electrolyte, or other metabolic abnormalities, such as metabolic acidosis Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No serious infection * No uncontrolled psychosis or neurologic disease (e.g., seizure disorders) * No uncontrolled diabetes mellitus * No other primary malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer * No senility or emotional instability PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * No more than one prior systemic chemotherapy regimen * No prior doxorubicin * At least 6 weeks since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * Prior radiotherapy for progressive or recurrent disease allowed except myocardium radiotherapy Surgery: * Prior surgical resection allowed