Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven metastatic and/or recurrent renal cell
carcinoma Bidimensionally measurable disease No concurrent brain metastases Patients with
prior brain metastases who have undergone radiation and/or surgery, with stable response,
confirmed by MRI, and off corticosteroids are eligible

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: SWOG 0-1 Life expectancy:
Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified
Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No other
serious illness or active infection requiring antibiotics Not HIV positive No active
substance abuse

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 6 months since prior interleukin-2
therapy At least 6 months since prior interferon alfa therapy At least 1 month since other
prior biologic therapy No other concurrent biologic therapy (e.g., filgrastim or
sargramostim) Chemotherapy: At least 6 months since prior fluorouracil therapy At least 1
month since prior chemotherapy No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At
least 1 month since prior endocrine therapy No concurrent hormone therapy No concurrent
corticosteroids except if inhaled or topical Radiotherapy: At least 1 month since prior
radiotherapy (to less than 25% of the bone marrow only, and there must be measurable
disease outside of radiation field) No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: At least 3 weeks
since prior surgery Other: No concurrent ongoing therapy with investigational drugs