Fluorouracil, Irinotecan, Leucovorin, and Cisplatin as First-Line Therapy in Treating Patients With Metastatic Esophageal Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed esophageal cancer * Metastatic disease * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable metastatic lesion * At least 10 mm by spiral scanner OR 20 mm by sequential scanner * Outside the field of prior radiotherapy * No known symptomatic brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 to 75 Performance status * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy * At least 3 months Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 Hepatic * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times normal * Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 3 times normal (5 times normal if liver metastases are present) * SGOT and SGPT ≤ 3 times normal Renal * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL Cardiovascular * No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months * No uncontrolled angina Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No other prior malignancy except curatively treated basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No other illness or medical condition that would preclude study participation * No psychological, social, familial, or geographical condition that would preclude study participation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * More than 6 months since prior fluorouracil and/or cisplatin * No other prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * More than 6 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery * More than 4 weeks since prior surgery Other * No concurrent participation in another clinical study