DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed cholangiocarcinoma or carcinoma of the gallbladder

  • Advanced and/or inoperable disease

• Measurable disease

  • At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• No known brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• 18 and over

Performance status

• ECOG 0-2 OR
• Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy

• More than 2 months

Hematopoietic

• WBC ≥ 3,000/mm^3
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic

• Bilirubin < 3 mg/dL

Renal

• Creatinine ≤ 1.6 mg/dL

Cardiovascular

• No symptomatic congestive heart failure
• No unstable angina pectoris
• No cardiac arrhythmia

Other

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No prior allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to study drugs
• No ongoing or active infection
• No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance
• No other concurrent uncontrolled illness

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• Not specified

Chemotherapy

• More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered
• No more than 1 prior chemoembolization OR chemoradiotherapy regimen for locally advanced biliary tract cancer
• No other prior chemotherapy (except adjuvant therapy)

Endocrine therapy

• Not specified

Radiotherapy

• See Chemotherapy
• More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery

• Not specified

Other

• No other concurrent investigational agents
• No other concurrent anticancer agents or therapies