Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven progressive hypernephroma Bidimensionally
measurable disease with documented progression within 2 months prior to study entry Sites
of measurable or evaluable disease must be outside prior radiation ports No active
symptomatic CNS disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy:
Greater than 3 months Hematopoietic: Granulocyte count greater than 1,500/mm3 Platelet
count greater than 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.17 mg/dL SGOT or SGPT less
than 2.5 times normal Renal: Creatinine less than 1.70 mg/dL Other: No other prior or
concurrent malignancy except adequately treated cone biopsied carcinoma in situ of the
cervix or basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer No severe or uncontrolled nonmalignant
systemic disease that would make the patient a poor medical risk No uncontrolled active
infection Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception during
and for 4 weeks after study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and
recovered Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since
prior endocrine therapy or steroids and recovered No concurrent systemic steroids
Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and
recovered No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified