UCN-01 and Fluorouracil in Treating Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the pancreas * Progressive disease after gemcitabine-based chemotherapy for metastatic disease * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable metastatic lesion * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Primary disease site is not considered a measurable lesion * No known brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * ECOG 0-1 OR * Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy * More than 8 weeks Hematopoietic * WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3 * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * Bilirubin normal * AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal * Creatinine normal OR * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable angina pectoris * No cardiac tachyarrhythmia Pulmonary * No symptomatic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease * No pulmonary embolism within the past 6 months Other * No prior allergic reactions to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to UCN-01 or other agents used in this study * No diabetes mellitus uncontrolled by insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents * No uncontrolled concurrent illness * No ongoing or active infection * No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception before, during, and for 3 months after study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered * No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for metastatic or recurrent disease * No prior fluorouracil in the adjuvant or inoperable, locally advanced setting (except as a radiosensitizer) * No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered * No prior mediastinal irradiation * No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery * Not specified Other * No prior UCN-01 or other cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors * No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients * No other concurrent investigational or commercial anticancer agents or therapies * No concurrent anticonvulsant medications