Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the
pancreas Bidimensionally measurable lesions with sentinel lesions outside field of any
prior radiation therapy No brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Zubrod 0-1 Life expectancy:
At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 1500/mm3 Platelet
count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine
no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No active congestive heart failure No
uncontrolled angina At least 6 months since prior myocardial infarction No uncontrolled
hypertension Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective
contraception No concurrent serious infection At least 5 years since prior malignancy
except the following: Nonmelanoma skin cancer Carcinoma in situ of the cervix No overt
psychosis or mental disability

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent biologic therapy Chemotherapy:
No prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease At least 6 months since prior adjuvant
chemotherapy No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See
Disease Characteristics At least 6 months since prior adjuvant chemoradiation to disease
At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered No concurrent radiotherapy
Surgery: At least 4 weeks since prior surgery and recovered No concurrent surgery Other:
At least 4 weeks since prior investigational drug (including analgesics or antiemetics) No
other concurrent anticancer therapy