Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed ductal or undifferentiated primary
pancreatic cancer for which no standard curative therapy exists Progressive locally
advanced disease after combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy OR Not a candidate for
combined therapy OR Metastatic disease No islet cell, acinar cell, or cystadenocarcinomas
Measurable or evaluable disease No known brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Karnofsky 50-100%
Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Absolute neutrophil
count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater
than upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no
greater than ULN OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No symptomatic
congestive heart failure No unstable angina No cardiac arrhythmia Other: No other
uncontrolled illness No active infection No allergy to platinum compounds, gemcitabine, or
antiemetics No other malignancy within the past 5 years except basal cell skin cancer or
carcinoma in situ of the cervix No evidence of neuropathy except preexisting grade I or II
Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective
contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy
or immunotherapy No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for
metastatic disease At least 6 months since prior adjuvant chemotherapy, including
cisplatin or gemcitabine, for radiosensitization in locally advanced disease No prior
cisplatin or gemcitabine for locally advanced disease No other concurrent chemotherapy
Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy to 25% or more of
bone marrow No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified Other: No other concurrent
investigational agents