Estramustine, Docetaxel, and Carboplatin in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer That Has Not Responded to Hormone Therapy

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate * Disease progression following androgen ablation therapy (hormonal or surgical) by either: * Increase in the product of bidimensional diameters of 1 or more radiographically documented sites of measurable disease OR * Two consecutive increases in PSA documented over a previous reference value * First increase in PSA should occur a minimum of 1 week from the reference value and be confirmed * First PSA value is less than the previous value, then patient is eligible provided next PSA is greater than the second PSA * Testosterone levels documented in the castrate range (i.e., less than 30 ng/mL) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 to 85 Performance status: * CALGB 0-2 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 3,000/mm3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin normal * SGOT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) if alkaline phosphatase normal OR * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 4 times ULN if SGOT normal OR * SGOT no greater than 1.5 times ULN and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: * No myocardial infarction within past year * No significant change in anginal pattern within past 6 months * No New York Heart Association class II-IV heart disease * No deep venous thrombosis within past year Other: * No significant peripheral neuropathy PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * Prior chemotherapy allowed except taxanes or platinum derivatives Endocrine therapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior antiandrogens Radiotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics