ZD 1839 in Treating Patients With Stage IV or Recurrent Kidney Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IV or recurrent renal cell carcinoma not amenable to potentially curative surgery Evidence of disease progression Measurable disease At least 20 mm with conventional techniques OR At least 10 mm with spiral CT scan No brain metastases Malignant tissue available PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 OR Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: More than 2 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin normal AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No symptomatic congestive heart failure No unstable angina pectoris No cardiac arrhythmia Other: No prior allergy to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to ZD 1839 No ongoing or active infection No other uncontrolled illness 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 more than 2 prior immunotherapy (interferon alfa or interleukin-2) regimens At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Other: No prior therapy for metastatic disease No other concurrent investigational agents No concurrent oral retinoids