Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed epithelial renal cell carcinoma (RCC),
including either clear cell or nonclear cell RCC

- Strong clinical evidence or biopsy proof of metastases to a site or sites distant
from the primary tumor

- Measurable disease

- No untreated or progressive CNS metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- ECOG performance status 0-1

- Life expectancy > 3 months

- Absolute neutrophil count > 1,500/mm³

- Platelet count > 100,000/mm³

- Hemoglobin > 9.5 g/dL

- Creatinine ≤ 1.8 mg/dL

- Bilirubin < 1.5 mg/dL

- Calcium < 11.5 mg/dL

- ALT and AST < 3 times upper limit of normal

- No history of any of the following:

- Serious cardiac arrhythmia or cardiac arrhythmia requiring treatment

- Congestive heart failure

- Angina pectoris

- Other severe cardiovascular disease producing limitations of physical activity
(i.e., New York Heart Association class III-IV heart disease)

- No other prior malignancy except for the following:

- Basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

- Carcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix

- Any malignancy treated with curative intent and in complete remission for > 3
years

- No active peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or chronic diarrhea

- No local or systemic infections requiring IV antibiotics within the past 28 days

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- Recovered from prior hormonal therapy, radiotherapy, biologic therapy, or
chemotherapy

- No more than 3 prior therapeutic regimens for metastatic disease

- No prior organ allograft

- More than 28 days since prior major surgery requiring general anesthesia

- More than 28 days since prior radiotherapy to control pain from skeletal lesions

- More than 28 days since prior hormonal treatment