DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed metastatic renal cell carcinoma Evaluable or bidimensionally measurable disease with primary renal tumor in place or surgically accessible metastatic site greater than 2 x 2 cm No uncontrolled CNS metastasis

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL (not transfusion dependent) Platelet count at least 75,000/mm3 WBC greater than 3,000/mm3 Hepatic: SGOT/SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 5 times ULN PT/PTT no greater than 1.5 times ULN Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 g/dL Cardiovascular: No ischemic heart disease that precludes surgery Pulmonary: No pulmonary condition that precludes surgery Other: Hepatitis B surface antigen negative No other underlying condition or allergy that would preclude study No acute viral, bacterial, or fungal infection requiring therapy HIV negative Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No other acute medical problems that would preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent corticosteroids (oral, topical, inhaled) Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics No prior organ allografts Other: At least 14 days since prior acute therapy for infection