DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma, squamous cell or small cell carcinoma, or carcinoma not otherwise specified of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction

  • Metastatic or surgically unresectable disease

• Measurable disease outside of primary tumor

  • At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• No bone metastases, abnormal radionuclide bone scans, or pleural effusions as only site of measurable disease
• No known brain metastases or carcinomatous meningitis
• Must consent to having tumor tissue tested for epidermal growth factor receptor status

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• 18 and over

Performance status

• Karnofsky 70-100%

Life expectancy

• More than 3 months

Hematopoietic

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

Hepatic

• Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AST no greater than 2 times ULN

Renal

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
• Calcium no greater than 12 mg/dL
• No symptomatic hypercalcemia

Cardiovascular

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

Other

• No other malignancy within the past 3 years except adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix, superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, or basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer
• No other uncontrolled concurrent illness
• No ongoing or active infection
• No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study participation
• No other concurrent disease that would preclude study participation
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• No prior cetuximab

Chemotherapy

• No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for advanced or metastatic disease
• One prior chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting (in combination with prior surgery or radiotherapy) allowed provided it was administered prior to treatment for advanced or metastatic disease
• At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy
• No concurrent investigational or commercial chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

• Not specified

Radiotherapy

• See Chemotherapy
• At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy

Surgery

• See Chemotherapy

Other

• No prior erlotinib-related compounds or compounds of similar biologic or chemical components
• No prior EGFR-targeting compounds (e.g., gefitinib)
• No other concurrent investigational agents
• No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients