Gemcitabine, Bevacizumab, and Abdominal Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Localized Pancreatic Cancer

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as gemcitabine, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Monoclonal antibodies, such as bevacizumab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Bevacizumab may also stop the tumor growth by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Gemcitabine and bevacizumab may make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Giving gemcitabine together with bevacizumab and radiation therapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving gemcitabine together with bevacizumab and abdominal radiation therapy works in treating patients with localized pancreatic cancer.