DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically proven metastatic urothelial carcinoma Bidimensionally measurable disease Platinum sensitive OR platinum resistant Platinum sensitive disease: No prior platinum containing regimen OR Progressive or recurrent disease more than 6 months after responding to a platinum containing regimen Platinum resistant disease: Progressive or recurrent disease within 6 months of a platinum containing regimen (cisplatin or carboplatin) No brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Karnofsky 50-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin normal SGOT or SGPT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 30 mL/min Cardiovascular: No uncontrolled concurrent illness including, but not limited to: Symptomatic congestive heart failure Unstable angina pectoris Cardiac arrhythmia Other: No clinical evidence of neuropathy worse than grade 1 Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study No allergy to platinum compounds or antiemetics No uncontrolled concurrent illness including, but not limited to, an active infection

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent colony stimulating factors during the first course of study therapy Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics One prior chemotherapy regimen for metastatic disease allowed Prior neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy regimen allowed if the interval between this therapy and the first therapy for metastatic disease was at least 6 months At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified Other: No other concurrent investigational agents No HIV positive patients receiving antiretroviral therapy