R115777 in Treating Patients Who Have Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the pancreas * Measurable metastatic disease No prior treatment for metastatic disease except immunotherapy (e.g., antibodies, vaccines, cytokines) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Age: 18 and over * Performance status: ECOG 0-2 * WBC at least 4,000/mm3 OR granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 * Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL * SGOT/SGPT no greater than 2 times normal * Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL OR creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after the study * No concurrent illness or active infection which would preclude study * No prior malignancy allowed unless disease free for the time period considered appropriate for cure of the specific cancer * No history of allergies to imidazole compounds (e.g., fluconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, itraconazole, clotrimazole) PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * No prophylactic filgrastim (G-CSF), sargramostim (GM-CSF), or thrombopoietin * Primary neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy allowed at least 6 months prior to detection of metastatic disease * Primary radiotherapy allowed at least 6 months prior to detection of metastatic disease * No concurrent use of proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole)