DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma

  • Metastatic or unresectable disease
  • Documented disease progression, even after nephrectomy

• At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion

  • At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
  • At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan

  • The following lesions are not considered measurable:

    • Bone lesions
    • Leptomeningeal disease
    • Ascites
    • Pleural/pericardial effusion
    • Abdominal masses not confirmed and followed by imaging
    • Cystic lesions

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• CTC 0-2

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• WBC at least 2,000/mm3
• Platelet count at least 75,000/mm3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AST no greater than 2.5 times ULN

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No baseline neuropathy or cerebellar dysfunction greater than grade 1

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy
• No prior carboxyamidotriazole
• No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF) or sargramostim (GM-CSF)
• Concurrent epoetin alfa allowed

Chemotherapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy
• No concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• No concurrent hormonal therapy except steroids for adrenal failure or hormones for conditions not related to disease (e.g., insulin for diabetes)

Radiotherapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• No concurrent palliative radiotherapy

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 4 weeks since prior surgery