Gemcitabine and Irinotecan in Treating Patients With Metastatic Kidney Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed epithelial renal cell carcinoma (RCC), including either clear cell or nonclear cell RCC * Strong clinical evidence or biopsy proof of metastases to a site or sites distant from the primary tumor * Measurable disease * No untreated or progressive CNS metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status 0-1 * Life expectancy \> 3 months * Absolute neutrophil count \> 1,500/mm³ * Platelet count \> 100,000/mm³ * Hemoglobin \> 9.5 g/dL * Creatinine ≤ 1.8 mg/dL * Bilirubin \< 1.5 mg/dL * Calcium \< 11.5 mg/dL * ALT and AST \< 3 times upper limit of normal * No history of any of the following: * Serious cardiac arrhythmia or cardiac arrhythmia requiring treatment * Congestive heart failure * Angina pectoris * Other severe cardiovascular disease producing limitations of physical activity (i.e., New York Heart Association class III-IV heart disease) * No other prior malignancy except for the following: * Basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin * Carcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix * Any malignancy treated with curative intent and in complete remission for \> 3 years * No active peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or chronic diarrhea * No local or systemic infections requiring IV antibiotics within the past 28 days * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * Recovered from prior hormonal therapy, radiotherapy, biologic therapy, or chemotherapy * No more than 3 prior therapeutic regimens for metastatic disease * No prior organ allograft * More than 28 days since prior major surgery requiring general anesthesia * More than 28 days since prior radiotherapy to control pain from skeletal lesions * More than 28 days since prior hormonal treatment