Interferon Alfa and Interleukin-2 in Treating Patients With Metastatic Kidney Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven renal cell cancer that is metastatic No greater than 50% estimated hepatic replacement by tumor on CT or MRI No symptomatic involvement of the CNS or a major nerve Measurable disease required Ineligible for treatment with low-dose interleukin-2 on another CMC protocol PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 50%-100% Life expectancy: More than 3 months Hematopoietic: No coagulopathy (i.e., platelet count less than 80,000/mm3) Hepatic: AST and ALT no greater than 5 times normal Renal: Creatinine less than 4.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No symptomatic angina No untreated coronary artery disease No refractory arrhythmia No abnormal left ventricular function Pulmonary: No dyspnea on minimal exertion Other: No site of ongoing bleeding No systemic infection No HIV antibody No HBsAg No requirement for steroids No psychiatric disease that precludes informed consent or protocol treatment No second malignancy except: Basal cell skin carcinoma Carcinoma in situ of the cervix Not pregnant or nursing Effective contraception required of fertile women PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy No prior interleukin-2 Chemotherapy Not specified Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy Not specified Surgery Not specified Other At least 28 days since prior treatment for renal cell cancer