DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed recurrent stage IV colorectal cancer Any T, any N, M1 Documented progressive disease within 6 months of completing an irinotecan- containing regimen Bidimensionally measurable metastatic disease Meningeal or CNS involvement allowed Immunohistochemical evidence of EGFR expression (at least 1+)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST no greater than 5 times ULN Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No history of uncontrolled angina, arrhythmias, or congestive heart failure Other: No other malignancy within the past 3 years except basal cell skin cancer or pre-invasive carcinoma of the cervix No uncontrolled seizure disorder No neuropathy greater than grade 2 or other neurologic disease No medical or psychiatric condition that would preclude study Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior murine monoclonal antibody therapy or cetuximab Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Recovered from prior chemotherapy No other chemotherapy since completing irinotecan-containing regimen No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 30 days since prior radiotherapy and recovered No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: At least 21 days since prior surgery, except diagnostic biopsy, and recovered Other: At least 30 days since prior investigational agents and recovered