Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic renal cell cancer

- Measurable disease

- At least 2.0 cm in at least 1 dimension by physical exam OR at least 1.0 cm in
at least 1 dimension by radiologic exam

- Single measurable lesion must not be within prior radiotherapy portal

- Tumor lesion amenable to core biopsy

- At least 1 cm of tumor obtainable

- No active CNS metastatic disease

- Single previously resected CNS metastasis allowed provided no disease
progression 8 weeks after therapy and no longer requiring steroids or
antiseizure medications

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- Not specified

Life expectancy:

- More than 3 months

Hematopoietic:

- WBC at least 3,000/mm^3

- Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN

Renal:

- Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL

Cardiovascular:

- No symptomatic congestive heart failure

- No unstable angina pectoris

- No cardiac arrhythmia

Other:

- No other uncontrolled concurrent illness

- No ongoing or active infection

- No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective barrier-method contraception during and for 3
months after study participation

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- Prior immunotherapy or biotherapy allowed

Chemotherapy:

- No prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

Radiotherapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy

- No prior radiotherapy to 25% or more of bone marrow (i.e., whole pelvis)

Surgery:

- See Disease Characteristics

Other:

- No other concurrent investigational agents

- No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients