Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Bidimensionally measurable disease Bone metastasis as only site must have at least 1
bidimensionally measurable tissue mass by CT or MRI (e.g., expansile lesion) Radiologic
evidence of disease progression or symptoms related to disease No brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life
expectancy: More than 3 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophil
count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than
1.5 mg/dL ALT/AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: Creatinine
no greater than 1.5 times ULN Other: No prior malignancy within the past 5 years unless
potentially curatively treated or deemed at low risk for recurrence 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
and recovered No more than 1 prior biologic regimen No other concurrent biologic therapy
Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior cytotoxic therapy and recovered No more than 1
prior cytotoxic regimen No concurrent cytotoxic therapy Endocrine therapy: At least 4
weeks since prior hormonal therapy and recovered No more than 1 prior hormonal regimen No
concurrent hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No
concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery