DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (including the gastroesophageal junction) or stomach

  • Inoperable metastatic or recurrent disease
  • Incurable with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, or combination therapy

• Bidimensionally measurable disease

  • At least 1 cm x 1 cm by CT scan or MRI
  • Mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes at least 2 cm in longest dimension by CT scan or MRI
  • No prior radiotherapy to only evaluable lesion
• No brain metastases
• No osseous metastasis as only site of disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy:

• At least 12 weeks

Hematopoietic:

• Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
• SGOT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal
• No known Gilbert's syndrome

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL

Cardiovascular:

• No unstable angina
• No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
• No uncontrolled, clinically evident congestive heart failure

Other:

• No history of seizures
• No serious infection
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• No other disease that would preclude study
• No psychiatric disorders that would preclude study compliance
• No significant clinical neuropathy
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered
• No more than 1 prior immunotherapy regimen for metastatic disease
• No concurrent immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered
• No prior paclitaxel or irinotecan
• No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for metastatic disease except fluorouracil as an adjuvant or radiosensitizer
• No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 4 weeks since prior limited radiotherapy and recovered
• No prior radiotherapy to major bone marrow-containing areas (pelvis or lumbar spine)
• No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 1 week since prior minor surgery
• At least 3 weeks since prior major surgery
• Recovered from prior surgery

Other:

• At least 4 weeks since prior investigational therapy
• No concurrent phenytoin, phenobarbital, or other antiepileptic prophylaxis
• No other concurrent medication except analgesics, chronic treatments for concurrent medical conditions, or agents required for life-threatening medical problems
• No concurrent prochlorperazine on day of irinotecan administration