DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic renal cell cancer

• Measurable disease

  • At least 2.0 cm in at least 1 dimension by physical exam OR at least 1.0 cm in at least 1 dimension by radiologic exam
  • Single measurable lesion must not be within prior radiotherapy portal

• Tumor lesion amenable to core biopsy

  • At least 1 cm of tumor obtainable

• No active CNS metastatic disease

  • Single previously resected CNS metastasis allowed provided no disease progression 8 weeks after therapy and no longer requiring steroids or antiseizure medications

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• Not specified

Life expectancy:

• More than 3 months

Hematopoietic:

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

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL

Cardiovascular:

• No symptomatic congestive heart failure
• No unstable angina pectoris
• No cardiac arrhythmia

Other:

• No other uncontrolled concurrent illness
• No ongoing or active infection
• No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective barrier-method contraception during and for 3 months after study participation

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Prior immunotherapy or biotherapy allowed

Chemotherapy:

• No prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• See Disease Characteristics

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• No prior radiotherapy to 25% or more of bone marrow (i.e., whole pelvis)

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics

Other:

• No other concurrent investigational agents
• No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients