A PHASE III TRIAL OF RADIATION THERAPY WITH OR WITHOUT CASODEX IN PATIENTS WITH PSA ELEVATION FOLLOWING RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY FOR pT3N0 CARCINOMA OF THE PROSTATE

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Androgens can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. Hormone therapy using bicalutamide may fight prostate cancer by reducing the production of androgens. It is not yet known if radiation therapy is more effective with or without bicalutamide for prostate cancer. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of radiation therapy with or without bicalutamide in treating patients who have stage II or stage III prostate cancer and elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels following radical prostatectomy.