Sargramostim in Treating Patients With Kidney Cancer That Has Spread to the Lung

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed metastatic renal cell carcinoma for which no known standard therapy that is potentially curative or capable of extending life expectancy exists (e.g., surgery) Measurable metastatic disease in the lung At least one unidimensionally measurable lesion at least 20 mm by conventional techniques No CNS metastases that require treatment PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm^3 Platelet count at least 75,000/mm^3 Hemoglobin greater than 8.0 g/dL Hepatic Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST no greater than 3 times ULN Renal Creatinine no greater than 2.5 times ULN Pulmonary No hemoptysis of grade 3 or greater No reactive airway disease on active therapy Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No uncontrolled infection No other metastatic malignancy within the past 3 years except basal cell skin cancer PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy More than 2 weeks since prior immunotherapy More than 2 weeks since other prior biologic therapy Chemotherapy More than 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for mitomycin or nitrosoureas) Endocrine therapy More than 2 weeks since prior corticosteroids No concurrent systemic glucocorticoids Radiotherapy More than 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to more than 10% of total lung volume in the radiation field Other At least 4 weeks since prior bronchodialators No concurrent immunosuppressive agents