Cisplatin, Paclitaxel, and Gemcitabine in Treating Patients With Progressive Unresectable Regional or Metastatic Bladder Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically proven progressive unresectable regional or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder * Measurable disease by CT or MRI scan * Greater than 10 mm PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 to 75 Performance status: * WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: * At least 3 months Hematopoietic: * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 150,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Not specified Renal: * Creatinine less than 1.36 mg/dL Cardiovascular: * No uncontrolled cardiac disease * No severe cardiac arrhythmias Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * No other prior malignancy except curatively treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Prior intravesical immunotherapy for superficial disease allowed * No prior systemic biologic response modifier therapy for advanced disease Chemotherapy: * Prior intravesical chemotherapy for superficial disease allowed * No prior systemic chemotherapy for advanced disease Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * Prior radiotherapy allowed Surgery: * No prior surgery