Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed adrenocortical carcinoma in Stage III or
IV and incurable by surgery Bidimensionally measurable disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: SWOG 0-2 Hematopoietic: WBC
at least 4,000/mm3 Absolute granulocyte count at least 2,000/mm3 Platelet count at least
150,000/mm3 Prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time no greater than upper limit
of normal (ULN) Hepatic: SGOT and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times ULN Renal:
Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min Serum creatinine no greater than ULN Other: No
second malignancy within 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell
carcinoma of the skin,in situ carcinoma of the cervix, or other cancer for which patient
has been disease free for 5 years Not pregnant or nursing Effective contraception required
of fertile patients

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent biologic therapy At least 4
weeks since prior biologic therapy (one regimen only) Chemotherapy: No concurrent
chemotherapy At least 4 weeks since prior mitotane No other prior chemotherapy allowed
Endocrine therapy: At least 6 weeks since prior hormonal therapy No concurrent hormonal
therapy Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiation therapy (to less than 25% of
bone marrow) No concurrent radiation therapy Surgery: Prior surgery allowed in relapsed
patients with no other prior treatment