Chemotherapy and Biological Therapy in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Kidney Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed locally advanced or metastatic renal cell cancer * Progressive disease after treatment with 0-2 courses of immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or other systemic therapy for advanced disease * Measurable or evaluable disease * No concurrent CNS metastases * Prior CNS metastases allowed if no residual disease by MRI PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy * At least 3 months Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL Hepatic * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * AST and ALT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (5 times ULN if liver metastases present) Renal * Creatinine less than 2 mg/dL OR * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular * No unstable angina * No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months Other * Cholesterol no greater than 350 mg/dL * Triglycerides no greater than 400 mg/dL * HIV negative * Not immunocompromised * No active autoimmune disorder * No active infection requiring antibiotic therapy * No other serious concurrent illness * No known hypersensitivity to components of CCI-779, interferon alfa, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, or both acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs * No other major illness that would preclude study participation * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study participation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 weeks since prior immunotherapy * No prior interferon alfa * No other concurrent immunotherapy * No prophylactic growth factors * Concurrent epoetin alfa allowed Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy * No prior CCI-779 * No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * No concurrent hormonal therapy for malignancy (megestrol for appetite loss allowed) * Concurrent inhaled or replacement steroids allowed Radiotherapy * At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy * No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery * At least 3 weeks since prior surgery Other * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 weeks since prior immunosuppressive agents * At least 4 weeks since prior investigational agents * No other concurrent investigational agents * No concurrent immunosuppressive therapy * No concurrent anticonvulsants known to be cytochrome P450 inducers, ketoconazole, diltiazem, rifampin, terfenadine, cisapride, astemizole, or pimozide * No concurrent maintenance therapy for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia