Doxercalciferol Before Surgery in Treating Localized Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate * Candidate for prostatectomy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 21 and over Performance status: * Not specified Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 4,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.4 mg/dL * AST no greater than 3 times normal Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL * Calcium no greater than 10.2 mg/dL * No idiopathic urinary calcium stone disease PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * Not specified Endocrine therapy: * No prior hormonal therapy for prostate cancer * No concurrent hormonal therapy, including luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists, antiandrogens, glucocorticoids, ketoconazole, finasteride, diethylstilbestrol, or progestins Radiotherapy: * No prior brachytherapy or external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics Other: * At least 7 days since prior vitamin D therapy or calcium supplements * No other concurrent vitamin D analogues or calcium supplements * No concurrent magnesium-containing antacids * No concurrent thiazide-containing diuretics * No concurrent phenytoin, phenobarbital, glutethimide, digoxin, or digitalis