GM-CSF in Treating Patients With Relapsed Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate * Non-metastatic, recurrent systemic disease as manifested by a rising PSA, defined as ≥ 2 consecutive rises in PSA to be documented over a reference value (measure 1) * The first rising PSA (measure 2) should be at taken ≥ 14 days after the reference value * A third confirmatory PSA measure is required (second beyond the reference level) to be greater than the second, and it must be obtained ≥ 14 days after the second measure * If this is not the case, a fourth PSA is required to be taken and be greater than the second measure * No local-only relapse * Must have undergone prior definitive therapy for prostate cancer consisting of external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy (with or without external beam radiotherapy), or radical prostatectomy (with or without adjuvant androgen ablation) * Patients who have not undergone definitive therapy as above or who have undergone hormonal therapy alone are not eligible * No evidence of metastases on bone or CT scan PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status 0-1 * Leukocytes ≥ 3,000/μl * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/μl * Platelets ≥ 100,000/μl * Total bilirubin normal * AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN * No active thrombophlebitis or disseminated intravascular coagulopathy * No history of pulmonary embolus * No history of immunodeficiency or autoimmune diseases * No uncontrolled intercurrent illness, including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics * No prior systemic chemotherapy for any reason * No concurrent anticoagulation therapy (i.e., therapeutic coumadin) * Prophylactic anticoagulation (e.g., aspirin) allowed * No concurrent systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressives * Inhaled or topical steroids allowed