DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed stage IV colorectal cancer Any T, any N, M1 Immunohistochemical evidence of epidermal growth factor receptor expression (at least 1+) Bidimensionally measurable metastatic disease Meningeal or CNS involvement by tumor allowed

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 150,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin normal AST no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No history of uncontrolled angina, arrhythmias, or congestive heart failure Neurologic: No uncontrolled seizure disorder No active neurological disease No grade 2 or greater neuropathy Other: No other malignancy within the past 3 years except basal cell skin cancer or pre-invasive carcinoma of the cervix 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 No prior cetuximab Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease Prior adjuvant chemotherapy for stage I, II, or III colorectal cancer allowed only if disease-free for more than 1 year from completion of therapy until the first evidence of metastatic disease No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy for metastatic disease No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: At least 3 weeks since prior surgery (excluding prior diagnostic biopsy) Other: No prior treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer At least 30 days since prior investigational agents