Gene Therapy in Treating Patients With Colon Cancer That Has Spread to the Liver

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the colon * At least 3 metastatic hepatic lesions involving both lobes * No extrahepatic disease * Failed first-line combination chemotherapy of fluorouracil plus either leucovorin calcium or irinotecan * Herpes simplex virus type-1 seropositive * Candidate for intrahepatic arterial infusion pump placement PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * WBC greater than 3,000/mm\^3 * Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin greater than 9.0 g/dL * No history of any blood clotting disorder (e.g., hemophilia) Hepatic: * Transaminases no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal * Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL * No active hepatitis * No history of hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, or hemochromatosis Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * All patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for at least 6 months after study * HIV negative * No active herpes infection * No other active uncontrolled infection * No prior weight loss of more than 10 lbs within the past month * No history of alcohol or other substance abuse * No concurrent unstable and/or severe medical or psychological condition * No history of any other medical or psychological condition that would preclude study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy (e.g., interleukin-2, interleukin -12, or interferon) * No prior gene transfer therapy * No prior therapy with cytolytic virus of any type * No concurrent immunotherapy during and for 28 days after study therapy * No concurrent vaccines during and for 28 days after study therapy Chemotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) * No concurrent chemotherapy during and for 28 days after study therapy Endocrine therapy: * No concurrent systemic steroids during and for 28 days after study therapy Radiotherapy: * No prior radiotherapy to the liver * No concurrent radiotherapy during and for 28 days after study therapy Surgery: * At least 2 weeks since prior surgery Other: * At least 30 days since prior participation in investigational study * No concurrent antiviral agent active against herpes simplex virus (e.g., acyclovir, valacyclovir, penciclovir, famciclovir, ganciclovir, foscarnet, or cidofovir) during and for 28 days after study therapy * No concurrent immunosuppressive agents (e.g., cyclosporine) during and for 28 days after study therapy * No other concurrent investigational or anti-cancer agents during and for 28 days after study therapy