Flavopiridol in Treating Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic Kidney Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed unresectable primary (M0) or metastatic renal cell cancer * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Soft tissue disease that has been previously irradiated within the past 2 months is not considered measurable * Soft tissue disease within a previously irradiated field is considered measurable provided disease has progressed and other measurable disease exists outside of the radiation field * No prior or concurrent brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * Not specified Performance status: * Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * No hypercoagulable state other than renal cell cancer Hepatic: * Not specified Renal: * Not specified Cardiovascular: * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable angina pectoris * No cardiac arrhythmia * No prior isolated occurrence of deep venous thrombosis within the past 6 months Pulmonary: * No prior isolated occurrence of pulmonary embolism within the past 6 months Other: * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or stage I or II cancer in complete remission * No history of allergic reactions to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to flavopiridol (e.g., staurosporine, deschloroflavopiridol, or butyrolactone I) * No other uncontrolled illness (e.g., diabetes mellitus) * No ongoing or active infection * No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * 1 prior immunotherapy regimen comprising interferon and/or interleukin-2 allowed * At least 28 days since prior immunotherapy and recovered * No concurrent prophylactic filgrastim (G-CSF) Chemotherapy: * No prior chemotherapy for renal cell cancer Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 21 days since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics * Prior resection of primary tumor allowed * At least 28 days since prior surgery and recovered