DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma

  • Metastatic disease

• Measurable disease

  • Unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan or MRI

    • Histologic confirmation required if measurable disease is confined to a solitary lesion

  • The following are not considered measurable disease:

    • Bone disease only
    • Pleural or peritoneal metastases
    • CNS lesions
    • Irradiated lesions unless disease progression was documented after prior radiotherapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• 18 and over

Performance status

• ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy

• Not specified

Hematopoietic

• Granulocyte count ≥ 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic

• Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL
• No decompensated liver disease

Renal

• Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL

Immunologic

• No known or suspected hypersensitivity to interferon alfa or to any excipient or vehicle included in the formulation or delivery system
• No history of autoimmune disease
• No autoimmune hepatitis
• No immunosuppressed transplantation recipients

Other

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use 2 effective methods of contraception 4 weeks before, during, and for 4 weeks after study participation
• No pre-existing thyroid abnormalities for which thyroid function cannot be maintained in the normal range
• No severe psychiatric condition or disorder, including suicidal ideation or attempt
• No other active malignancy except nonmelanoma skin cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• No prior immunotherapy

Chemotherapy

• Not specified

Endocrine therapy

• Not specified

Radiotherapy

• See Disease Characteristics
• More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy

Surgery

• Not specified