Interferon Alfa in Treating Patients With Advanced Kidney Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma Bidimensionally measurable lesions that have not been irradiated Minimum indicator lesion size: Liver, soft tissue, or other masses - one diameter at least 20 mm (evaluable only radiographically) Lung - one diameter at least 10 mm by x-ray or CT scan Skin lesions and lymph nodes - one diameter at least 10 mm by clinical measurement No clinical or radiologic evidence of CNS metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 80-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3000/mm3 Neutrophil count at least 1500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL (red cell transfusions allowed) Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) (except for patients with Gilbert's syndrome) ALT and/or AST no greater than 2.5 times ULN (no greater than 4 times ULN with liver metastases) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN (no greater than 4 times ULN with liver metastases) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No history of severe cardiac disease: New York Heart Association class II (if not due to cancer), III, or IV Myocardial infarction within the past 6 months Ventricular tachyarrhythmias requiring ongoing treatment Unstable angina Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No other prior or concurrent malignancy except basal cell carcinoma of the skin, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or any other malignancy from which the patient has been disease free for at least 2 years No history of medically significant psychiatric disease, especially depression No history or evidence of retinopathy No seizure disorders PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior or concurrent immunotherapy, biologic response modifiers, cytokines, monoclonal antibodies, antitumor vaccines, or any other systemic therapy Chemotherapy: No prior or concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No prior or concurrent hormone therapy Hormone replacement after adrenalectomy is allowed Radiotherapy: Prior radiotherapy allowed No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Prior nephrectomy allowed Other: No other concurrent investigational drugs No concurrent anticonvulsant therapy