Inclusion Criteria:

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma

- Locally advanced or metastatic disease

- All histologic subtypes allowed

- Measurable disease

- At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques
OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan

- No known brain metastases or leptomeningeal disease

- Performance status - ECOG 0-2

- WBC ≥ 3,000/mm^3

- Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3

- Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3

- No bleeding diathesis

- Bilirubin normal

- AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN

- Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min

- No uncontrolled hypertension

- No symptomatic congestive heart failure

- No unstable angina pectoris

- No cardiac arrhythmia

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- No history of sensitivity to E. coli-derived products

- No history of severe depression

- No active infection requiring antibiotics

- No seizure disorder requiring antiepileptic medication

- No medical condition likely to require systemic corticosteroids

- No autoimmune disorder that could result in life-threatening complications

- No other uncontrolled illness

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

- No more than 1 prior biologic response modifier regimen

- At least 4 weeks since prior biologic response modifiers

- No prior interferon alfa

- No prior chemotherapy

- At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy to non-index lesions

- Prior radiotherapy to index lesion allowed provided irradiated lesion
progressed ≥ 20% in diameter

- At least 2 weeks since prior major surgery

- No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients

- No concurrent therapeutic anticoagulation therapy

- Concurrent prophylactic anticoagulation, such as low-dose warfarin, for venous
or arterial access device allowed provided PT, PTT, and INR are normal

- No other concurrent investigational agents

- No other concurrent anticancer therapy