Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed locally advanced or metastatic
adenocarcinoma of the pancreas not amenable to standard curative therapy Duct cell
Undifferentiated The following cellular types are not eligible: Islet cell carcinoma
Acinar cell carcinoma Cystadenocarcinoma No CNS metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy:
Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count
at least 100,000/mm3 No underlying disease associated with active bleeding Hepatic:
Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no
greater than 3 times ULN AST no greater than 3 times ULN PT and PTT normal Renal:
Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy
test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy
or immunotherapy No concurrent immunotherapy No colony-stimulating factors during first
course of therapy Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy except radiosensitizing agents used
in adjuvant setting or in treatment of locally advanced disease No prior gemcitabine No
prior ISIS 2503 No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified
Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy to 25% or greater of bone marrow No concurrent
radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified