ZD 1839 in Treating Patients With Metastatic Kidney Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed metastatic renal cell carcinoma Bidimensionally measurable disease Bone metastasis as only site must have at least 1 bidimensionally measurable tissue mass by CT or MRI (e.g., expansile lesion) Radiologic evidence of disease progression or symptoms related to disease No brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: More than 3 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL ALT/AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Other: No prior malignancy within the past 5 years unless potentially curatively treated or deemed at low risk for recurrence Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy and recovered No more than 1 prior biologic regimen No other concurrent biologic therapy Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior cytotoxic therapy and recovered No more than 1 prior cytotoxic regimen No concurrent cytotoxic therapy Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior hormonal therapy and recovered No more than 1 prior hormonal regimen No concurrent hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery