Interferon Alfa-2b With or Without Thalidomide in Treating Patients With Metastatic or Unresectable Kidney Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically proven previously untreated metastatic or unresectable renal cell carcinoma * Retroperitoneal lymph nodes that are unresectable or those that are not resected at the investigator's discretion are considered metastatic disease * Prior nephrectomy allowed provided there is evidence of unresponsive metastatic disease after surgery or within one month prior to study enrollment * Bidimensionally measurable disease * Measurable disease must be outside any prior radiotherapy port * No history of brain metastases unless surgically resected or treated with gamma knife radiotherapy and currently without radiologic evidence of CNS disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL (transfusion allowed) * 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 Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: * No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use 2 effective methods of contraception (1 highly active method and 1 barrier method) for at least 4 weeks before, during, and for at least 4 weeks after study participation * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No uncontrolled diabetes or any other concurrent illnesses that would increase risk * No history of peripheral neuropathy * No severe depression PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * No prior immunotherapy (including adjuvant interferon alfa therapy), cellular therapy, or vaccine therapy for renal cell carcinoma * No prior antiangiogenesis therapy for renal cell carcinoma * Immunotherapy for prior malignancy allowed (except for interferon alfa therapy) Chemotherapy: * No prior chemotherapy for renal cell carcinoma * Chemotherapy for prior malignancy allowed Endocrine therapy: * No prior hormonal therapy for renal cell carcinoma Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics Other: * More than 7 days since prior IV antibiotics for infection