DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven progressive hypernephroma Bidimensionally measurable disease with documented progression within 2 months prior to study entry Sites of measurable or evaluable disease must be outside prior radiation ports No active symptomatic CNS disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: Greater than 3 months Hematopoietic: Granulocyte count greater than 1,500/mm3 Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.17 mg/dL SGOT or SGPT less than 2.5 times normal Renal: Creatinine less than 1.70 mg/dL Other: No other prior or concurrent malignancy except adequately treated cone biopsied carcinoma in situ of the cervix or basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer No severe or uncontrolled nonmalignant systemic disease that would make the patient a poor medical risk No uncontrolled active infection Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior endocrine therapy or steroids and recovered No concurrent systemic steroids Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified