SU5416 in Treating Patients With Metastatic Kidney Cancer That Has Not Responded to Previous Treatment

Inclusion criteria

* Histologically confirmed metastatic renal cell carcinoma * Prior removal of primary tumors * Bidimensionally measurable disease * Bone-only disease is not considered measurable * Progressive disease following no more than 2 prior biologic therapy (e.g.,interleukin-2, interferon alfa, vaccine, or dendritic cell therapy) orfluorouracil-containing (single-agent or in combination therapy) regimens * No known history of CNS metastasis unless all of the following are true: * Previously treated * Neurologically stable * No requirement for IV steroids or anticonvulsants * No requirement for oral steroids and no evidence of active or residual CNS disease on CT scan or MRI * Negative brain scan (CT scan or MRI) required if neurologic signs or symptoms suggestive of CNS metastasis present * Performance status - Zubrod 0-2 * At least 12 weeks * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm\^3 * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * SGPT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal * PT and PTT normal * Fibrinogen normal * D-Dimer assay normal * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min * See Surgery * No active congestive heart failure * No uncontrolled angina * No myocardial infarction or severe/unstable angina within the past 6 months * No uncontrolled hypertension * No uncompensated coronary artery disease on electrocardiogram or physical examination * No severe peripheral vascular disease * No deep vein or arterial thrombosis within the past 3 months * No pulmonary embolism within the past 3 months * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No concurrent serious infection * No overt psychosis, mental disability, or incompetence * No diabetes mellitus * No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to paclitaxel * See Disease Characteristics * No other concurrent anti-cancer biologic therapy * See Disease Characteristics * No concurrent anti-cancer chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered * No sole indicator lesion within the previously irradiated port * No concurrent anti-cancer radiotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery and recovered * At least 1 year since prior bypass surgery for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease * No concurrent surgery for cancer * No other investigational drugs (e.g., analgesics or antiemetics) for at least 28 days prior to and after study